India lose 1-4 to Spain in hockey

New Delhi, August 11, 2015: After a neck-to-neck battle, the India Men Hockey Team went down to Spain by 1-4 in their first match in Spain and third match of the Europe Tour, played at Sant Cugat del Valles on Monday. India’s forward player SV Sunil scored the lone goal for his team.

In the 1st quarter, both the teams started with an aggressive game plan and attacked on each other's sides to try to take the early lead. In the 9th minute, Spain opened their account with a stunning field goal and took the score-line to 1-0. However, India reacted quickly and attacked fiercely. In the next minute (10th), VR Raghunath gave a long pass to SV Sunil, who received the pass in the circle. He dribbled-past one defender and hit the ball hard to score the first goal for his team. With this equaliser, Indians took the score-card to 1-1 and maintained it till the end of the 1st quarter.

In the 2nd quarter, both sides stepped-in with more aggression and fought harder to score the next goal. The Indians attacked continuously but failed to finish the passes. On the other hand, Spain faced a stiff defence-line, which thwarted all their attacks. After a series of attacks and counter-attacks, the 2nd quarter finished at the 1-1 score-line.

In the 3rd quarter, both the teams entered the ground with better strategies. However, it was Spain who managed to earn a penalty corner in the 31st minute and Pau Quemada converted it perfectly to take the lead again. The Indians counter-attacked with their aggressive game-plans and kept the ball in the Spanish half. With their continuous efforts, India could not materialise their passes and the score-line remained 2-1 in favour of Spain at the end of the 3rd quarter.

In the 4th quarter, both sides locked-horns again and looked for opportunities to score goals. The Indians managed control of the ball and attacked from all sides. Spain earned another penalty corner but it was saved by Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. In the 53rd minute, Spain managed to earn another penalty corner and this time Jordi Carrera converted it effectively for their third goal in the match. 

Conceding two unfortunate goals, the Indians counter-attacked with more passion and kept the pressure on their opponents. However, Spain made a surprise attack from the right flank and Roc Oliva scored the fourth goal for his team in the 56th minute and taking the game from India by winning the game 4-1.

India will play their next match against Spain on 12th August 2015 at 14:30 IST at Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain.

HI Press release