The Indian men’s hockey team beat Spain 4-2 in the third match of the series played at Spain earlier today. It was a dominating performance by India who outplayed the Spanish team in all departments and proved too much for the hosts.
In the first quarter, both teams started off to a brisk pace dominating in the early stages of the game. After the barrage of attacks in the opening minutes Spain managed to earn a penalty corner but P Sreejesh saved it from getting into the goal. The Indian team counter attacked in the next moment and kept pressing on the goals against a good defense of Spain. At the end of first quarter the score was 0-0.
In the second quarter, began on a aggressive note but this time both teams started to play long balls. Chinslanga entered into the D of Spain but failed to convert the chances into goal. The Indian team earned a penalty corner in the 9th minute and Rupinder Pal Singh converted the penalty corner into goal to give India 1-0 lead. The Spainsh team cameback strongly as Richardo Santana dribbled past the Indian defense and equaled the score at 1-1 in the 10th minute. At the end of 2nd quarter, the score was equal at 1-1.
In the third quarter, the Indian forwards attacked from all sides but the Spanish players earned penalty corner because of the foul made by the defenders of India. The penalty corner was well saved by P Sreejesh. The Indian players attacked to put pressure on the opponents. In the last few minutes India earned a penalty but the shot from Rupinder Pal Singh went wide of the post. In the end moments of 3rd quarter, India’s Akashdeep sneaked into Spainsh circle for a brilliant goal. At the end of 3rd quarter India led 2-1.
In the final quarter, Spain put an extra player in the circle in their attacking lines and Xavier equalled the score at 2-2 in the 4th minute. The next moment the Indian team counter-attacked and Ramandeep scored an excellent goal in the 5th minute to give India 3-2. Soon after that India scored another goal by Ramandeep in 5 minute to give India 4-2 lead. Spain tried in the dying moments but P Sreejesh saved brilliantly to deny a goal.
The Indian team had a nice outing and cameback strongly after losing the first match ended the European tour on a high.