(Top) Hockey match between India (white jersey) and Argentina (blue jersey) and (above) match between Australia (yellow jersey) and Belgium (red jersey) in progress on day two of Champions Trophy at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 7: Enthusiasm of hockey fans to watch India play was on full display even after the host went down to Germany last night.
On the second day of Champions Trophy today, a large number of people turned up to witness India take on Argentina.
'It was a close contest against Germany yesterday and the visitors defeated us in the last minute. We hope that Team India will come back strongly and win the remaining two matches. We will continue to support the team,' said Ajit Mohanty, a fan.
While Indian players got a rousing welcome from the spectators, Argentina player Gonzalo Peillat also received warm greetings from hockey lovers.
Peillat, who represented Kalinga Lancers in the second edition of Hockey India League (HIL) last year, was among the few players who made their mark in the HIL. Peillat had scored two goals in the home game of Kalinga Lancers last year against Ranchi Rhinos to give the home team a victory.
'We not only cheered the host country, but also applauded the Argentina players who had won our hearts by their performance for the Kalinga Lancers in the HIL,' said Arijit Sahu, another spectator.
Argentina player Lucas Vila was also the star performer for the home team Kalinga Lancers during its debut in the HIL last year.
Though all tickets for three matches involving India were sold out much before the tournament, spectators today alleged black marketing of tickets for the India matches.
They alleged that some unscrupulous people taking advantage of the huge interest for the India matches were selling Rs 50 and Rs 100 tickets for Rs 300 and Rs 500, respectively.
'I went to the ticket counter for a ticket of India's match against Argentina, but I was told that all the tickets for the match has been sold out. Later, a tout offered me a ticket at double the price of an original ticket,' said Nishant Mishra, a city resident.
With two days of continuous action, the teams will have an off day on Monday, as no matches would be held tomorrow. India will take on Netherlands in its last group stage match on December 9.
