The Indian men’s hockey team went down 3-5 to Spain in the second match of their two-legged tie at the Kalinga Stadium here on Sunday, their second loss in the FIH Pro League.
If world number four India made a dash in a vibratory match to beat Spain 5-4 at the last minute on Saturday, the situation was completely opposite on Sunday as world number 9 Spain defeated the hosts. Were accurate with his penalty corner conversion for a complete knockout. ,
Tokyo Olympic bronze medalists India took the lead through Abhishek in the sixth minute, before Spain scored thrice through Pau Kunil (14th, 24th) and Joan Terres (14th). Pepe Kunil (54th) and skipper Mark Miralles (59th) created trouble for the visitors with the help of two more penalty corners.
Harmanpreet Singh (27th) and Sukhjit Singh (51st) scored the other goals for India.
India lost to France 2-5 in South Africa earlier this month.
Despite registering their second loss in the league, India are currently second with 12 points from six matches, including four wins.
India will next face Germany in a one- and two-legged home match here on March 12 and 13.
India started on a bright note, as young Abhishek, playing only his second international tournament, scored a brilliant goal, with a fine piece of skill. He threw the ball at the Spanish goalkeeper in the sixth minute to give his team the lead.
Down a goal, Spain fought hard and scored twice in the 14th minute to end the first quarter with a 2–1 lead.
First, Pau Kunil converted a penalty corner and then seconds later Joan Terres scored a lovely field goal after a defensive lapse by India.
Soon after the start of the second quarter, India were awarded a penalty stroke for pushing Lalit Upadhyay inside the circle, but the decision was reversed after Spain went for a referral.
Spain then secured two back-to-back penalty corners which were well defended by the Indians.
Spain’s relentless attack resulted in the 24th minute when Kunil scored his second goal of the day, once again from a penalty corner to give the visitors a 3–1 lead.
But India didn’t hold back and they attacked in numbers, earning a penalty corner in the process which Harmanpreet Singh converted to reduce the margin 2-3 three minutes later.
The third quarter was disappointing as both the teams failed to manage real chances of scoring.
Young Sukhjit scored his first international goal on debut in the 51st minute as India leveled the score at 3-3.
But India’s joy was short-lived as Spain restored their lead three minutes later by making another change in the penalty corner, this time by Pau Kunil’s brother Pepe Kunil.
After trailing by a goal, India withdrew their goalkeeper for an extra two minutes from the final hooter and Spain took advantage of the opportunity with both hands to raid the Indian defence.
Spain’s move worked wonders as they scored two consecutive penalty corners with a minute to spare in the match and the second chance was put in by captain Miralles.
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