FIH Pro League: India men, women lose to Spain

India’s men's hockey team slumped to its second defeat in the FIH Pro League, beaten 3-5 by Spain in the second match of the two-leg tie, at the Kalinga stadium, in Bhubaneswar, on Sunday.

If world No. 4 India made a last-minute dash on Saturday to beat Spain 5-4 in a pulsating match, the scenario was completely opposite on Sunday, as world No. 9 Spain were accurate with their penalty-corner conversions to completely outwit the hosts.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists India took the lead in the sixth minute through Abhishek before Spain struck thrice through Pau Cunill (14th, 24th minute) and Joan Tarres (14th).

Pepe Cunill (54th minute) and skipper Marc Miralles (59th) converted two more penalty-corners to seal the issue for the visitors.

India's other goals were scored by Harmanpreet Singh (27th minute) and Sukhjeet Singh (51st).

India had earlier lost 2-5 to France in South Africa earlier this month.

Despite registering their second defeat in the league, India are currently placed second in the standings with 12 points from six matches, including four wins.

India will next play Germany in another two-legged home tie in Bhubaneswar on March 12-13.

India women lose to Spain after late goal

Earlier on Sunday evening, at the same venue, India conceded a late goal and lost 3-4 to Spain in the FIH women’s Pro League.

World No. 9 India had defeated Spain, ranked sixth in the world, 2-1 in their first match of two-legged FIH Pro League tie on Saturday.

Xantal Gine scored the winner for Spain with just 35 seconds left in the match after Begona Garcia (4th, 24th minute) struck a brace. Maialen Garcia (15th minute) also registered her name in the scoresheet from a penalty-corner.

India, who suffered its first defeat from four outings in the tournament, scored through debutant Sangita Kumari (10th minute), Salima Tete (22nd) and Namita Toppo (49th).

Spain registered its first win in the FIH Pro League.

India had defeated China 7-1 and 2-1 in their opening matches in Muscat, Oman, earlier this month.

The Spanish team stunned India as early as the fourth minute when Garcia connected a superb ball that was going wide.

India restored parity six minutes later from a brilliant solo effort by debutant Sangita Kumari, single-handedly dribbling past Spanish defenders to slot the ball home.

Spain soon secured two back-to-back penalty-corners but both chances were defended brilliantly by the Indians.

Spain restored their lead just at the stroke of the first quarter through Maialen Garcia, who superbly deflected home from a penalty-corner.

India continued to put pressure on the Spanish defence in the second quarter and made numerous raids into the rival circle but failed in final execution as the visitors defended in numbers.

India drew level in the 22nd minute through Salima Tete, who picked up the ball on the right flank near the half-way mark, dribbled all the way through the centre in an angle and finished with aplomb.

India's joy lasted just two minutes as Spain restored their lead soon through Belen Iglesias, who scored a superb field goal.

The enthralling first half ended with Spain leading 3-2.

In the third quarter, Spain got a great chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke for a foul by Tete after a penalty-corner for the visitors.

India skipper Savita made a valiant save with her left foot to deny Sara Barrios.

Savita effected another save from a one-on-one situation before India got a penalty-corner but Monika's shot was saved by Spanish second goalkeeper Melanie Garcia as the third quarter ended with the hosts trailing 2-3.

Toppo scored in the 49th minute with a brilliant finish to draw India level once again.

Thereafter, it was an end-to-end fight as both teams were in no mood to relent.

Two minutes from the hooter, Spain secured a penalty-corner which was defended stoutly by the Indians.

But the Spanish continued on the offensive and secured another penalty-corner just 35 seconds from the final hooter and Xantal was bang on target with a grounded shot past Savita to seal the issue.