FIH Pro Hockey League 2022: Indian men’s team register stunning comeback win over Spain

 The Indian men’s hockey team registered a thrilling edge-of-the-seat thriller in the opening home match against Spain played at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhuvneshwar on Saturday.

It was an amazing game of hockey as both teams showed great fight and courage. Spain got the first chance as they got the penalty corner in the 5^th minute, but the shot went wide. Soon after, India earned a penalty corner, but the goal was disallowed for dangerous play as Spain went for a review. India came very close to taking the lead when Mandeep Singh’s deflection from Manpreet Singh was brilliantly saved by the Spanish goalkeeper.  Paul Cunil’s brilliant penalty corner gave Spain the lead in the 14^th minute. 18 seconds before the end of the first quarter, Harmanpreet Singh converted a superb penalty corner to level scores at 1-1.   

The second quarter saw both teams going end-to-end hockey at the start. Pau Cunil’s brilliant drag-flick in the 20^th minute helped Spain take the lead one more time with a scoreboard reading 2-1.  Spain put enough pressure on the Indian defense. It was a brilliant effort visitor keeping pressure on the hosts earning their third penalty corner. Marc Miralles scored in the 23^rd minute that went through the legs of experienced P Sreejesh. Spain kept Indian defense napping as Mandeep Mor’s dangerous play inside the circle resulted in a penalty stroke. Marc Miralles converted penalty stroke into a goal giving Spain a 3-1 lead. Shamsher produced a brilliant shot but was well saved by the Spanish goalkeeper. At the end of the first half, Spain led 3-1.

Spain kept the pressure on the Indian defense in the 3^rd quarter also. The visitors earned two back-to-back penalty corners. Marc Miralles scored his 3^rd goal with a strong reverse flick after India thwarted away the first attempt to give Spain a 4-1 lead in the 40^th minute. The Indian team made a stunning comeback with Shailand scoring from a rebound shot in the 41^st minute. Shamsher converted from a mistimed flick by Harmanpreet Singh saved by Gavin two minutes later to reduce the gap at 3-4. At the of end the third quarter, Spain led 4-3.

The fourth quarter saw India pressing hard on Spain's defense. They earned three penalty corners but two did not yield results. Varun Kumar scored from a brilliant drag-flick in the 55^th minute to level the scores at 4-4. It was ebb and flow stuff between both these great teams. With just seconds left, India was awarded a penalty stroke as Harmanpreet Singh converted it into a goal in the 60^th minute to give the host a brilliant 5-4 win.

It was an amazing performance by the Indian men’s team coming back from 1-4 down and then showing great courage. With this win, India moves second on the points table it was their fourth win of the Pro Hockey League.

India and Spain meet each other one more time tomorrow at the same stadium.

 

India stun Spain by 5-4 after being 1-4 down against Spain