India men beat Spain in marathon shootout

2024.02.20

India won the shootout 8–7 after holding Spain to a 2-2 tie during normal play. The next game for the Indian men’s hockey team is scheduled for Wednesday against the Netherlands.

In the FIH Pro League 2023–24 game on Monday at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, the Indian men’s hockey team defeated Spain 8–7 in a shootout after the two sides were level at 2-2 during normal time. This victory earned them the bonus point.

The Indian hockey team’s goals came from Jarmanpreet Singh (1′) and Abhishek (35′), whereas Spain’s goals came from Jose Basterra (3′) and Borja Lacalle (15′).

When the two teams played last week in Bhubaneswar, India, ranked fourth in the most recent FIH rankings, defeated world-ranked Spain 4-1. On Monday, though, things took a different turn.

Jarmanpreet took the field first in the first minute of play, giving India a strong start. The Indian attacker surged into the circle and beat rival goalkeeper Luis Calzado from an acute angle to sound the board after receiving a 40-yard aerial pass on the right wing.

But the festivities in the Indian camp were fleeting. In the third minute, Joaquin Menini won Spain a penalty corner, and Jose Basterra’s 23rd goal for his country tied the game.

India also gained a penalty corner and a chance to retake the lead three minutes later. But Harmanpreet Singh, the skipper, tugged it away from the target.

At the first quarter whistle, Marc Miralles dribbled in from the right wing and sent the ball for Borja Lacalle, who beat an onrushing Krishan Pathak to give Spain a 2-1 lead.

Although there was a struggle for ball control in the second quarter, no team really threatened the other. At halftime, the visitors had a 1-0 advantage.

Abhishek gave India a point five minutes into the third quarter, pounced on a rebound off the pads of the Spanish goalie, who had narrowly avoided Sanjay’s strike. Harmanpreet’s variation from a penalty corner led to the move.

Goalie PR Sreejesh made two saves in the 46th minute to keep India tied in the game as the action ebbed and flowed.

India had the ball in the Spanish goal in the 56th minute, but it was disqualified due to an umpire’s referral indicating that Akashdeep Singh’s foot had been struck by the ball before to its entry. With the scores tied at 2-2, the last hooter sounded.

In the shootout, Miralles made 15 consecutive tries when PR Sreejesh intervened to stop him from making 16.

The Indian men’s hockey team will play the Netherlands, ranked #1 in the world, on Wednesday in their FIH Pro League 2023–24 encounter.

@charith