Harpal Singh Bedi

Bhubaneshwar: Putting behind last evening’s  defeat Spain  produced high voltage game to overpower India 5-3  in the second leg of the FIH Pro League at Kalinga Hockey Stadium here on Sunday.

Rattled by the unexpected slump of form which saw them lose the first leg 4-5 despite leading 4-1, the visitors played all out attacking game , making  sure of not repeating  the mistake of the  first game .They  had a plan for this evening and which they managed to execute  successfully .

Two goals in the last six minutes enabled  the visitors pip India for collect full point

For the Visitors who led 3-2 at half time, the goal scorers were Pau Cunill (2), Joan Tarres, Pepe Cunill, Marc Miralles (one each)  For India  Abhishek, Harmanpreet ,Sukhjeet Singh  scored a goal each

Abhishek  gave the lead in the sixth minute. The striker made a fine solo dash  to beat on rushing goalkeeper  Adrian Rafi.

Eight minutes later, Pau Cunill  drew parity for Spain converting the first penalty corner (1-1) and just seconds later “l “Player of the Match “ Joan Tarres  intercepted a ball near the Indian circle  and with powerful  reverse hit  shot past Suraj Karkera   to make it 2-1 .

Pau Cunill scored his second and team’s third  goal  was against the run of play as India had enjoyed more possession and more meaningful attacks to that point in the second quarter (3-1). Cunill’s shot flew past PR Sreejesh in the a goal.  The veteran goal keeper  was celebrating his 250th match and this was not the way he would want to remember the occasion.

India hit back  immediately through Harmanpreet , as he converted a penalty corner (3-2) .The goal made Harmanpreet the first player to reach double figures in this year’s goal scoring tally.

The third quarter was intense but neither side managed to find a goal-scoring breakthrough, although India  played with more energy and ideas than their European counterparts.

 With nine minutes left. Sukhjeet Singh, who was playing his first senior game, made the dream start on his debut, dribbling through the Spanish defenders before slotting the ball home to bring the scores level.(3-3) . 

With just over six minutes left another drama unfolded . Pepe Cunill joined his brother Pau on the score-sheet after converting  a penalty corner – for his first senior international goal. The shot was subject to a long video review but the goal stood and Spain took the lead again. (4-3)

India took their ‘keeper from the field with three minutes left and Spain were able to capitalise when they won another penalty corner. Marc Miralles was able to fire home  (5-3)  for his fourth goal of the weekend.

This was Spain’s  first FIH Hockey Pro League win of the season.

After the  match Joan Tarres  said: ‘Today was amazing because we played very well. It is easy to make goals but it is very hard to defend against India because they are so fast.’

India’s captain Manpreet bemoaned  that his side missed chances : ‘We missed some good opportunities so we will work hard on improving some things before we face Germany, England and Argentina.’result means India are in second place in the league table, four points behind Netherlands. Spain remain in eighth position. 

HSB