NEW DELHI — Lucas Vila scored two goals as Argentina downed hosts India 4-2 to take seventh place in the 12-nation men's field hockey World Cup on Friday.
The South Americans, who had not lost a World Cup match to India since 1978, continued their domination of the former champions in the play-off for the 7th-8th positions.
Argentina led 1-0 at half-time through a fourth-minute goal by Tomas Argento, before Sandeep Singh convered a penalty stroke to draw level seven minutes into the second session.
Vila and Facundo Callioni pumped in three goals in four minutes to make it 4-1, a margin that proved beyond India's reach despite a goal from Shivendra Singh.
Argentina had finished 10th and India 11th in the previous World Cup in Germany in 2006.
New Zealand, meanwhile, clinched the ninth position after defeating valiant South Africa in a high-scoring thriller which ended in a penalty shoot-out.
The Black Sticks, trailing 3-4 till the final minute of regulation play, equalized in the last second when Andrew Hayward netted his third penalty corner goal of the match.
Both teams failed to break the deadlock in 15 minutes of extra-time and New Zealand won the shoot-out 5-4 with captain Dean Couzins pushing in the crucial ninth stroke.
New Zealand had finished eighth in the last World Cup, while South Africa moved up two places from their 12th position in the same tournament.
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