Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD:-India men enjoyed a magnificent comeback after they went 4-1 down to Spain with 15 minutes left of their match. But somehow the host nation drew on every reserve of energy to score four goals, including a dramatic penalty stroke in the final five seconds to win the match 5-4 and move to second in the FIH Hockey Pro League.
India 2-1 Spain (women) - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND)
The first half may have finished equal in terms of goals but the 30 minutes belonged to Spain in terms of possession and circle penetrations. The Red Sticks ended the half with 69 per cent possession and 19 incursions into the India ‘D’. India had managed only five meaningful attacks in response. As against the Netherlands in their earlier matches, much of the driving force for Spain came from the non-stop running of Georgina Oliva.
In the second half, the momentum switched as India changed tactics and began to pressure the Spanish midfield and defence with a sustained high press. The hard-work of Player of the Match Sharmila Devi, alongside the skills of Navneet and Nikki Pradhan, began to test the Spanish side’s ability to hold the ball.
Player of the Match, Shamila Devi said:
‘We played every well and I am very excited because we are playing at my home ground.’
Spain’s captain Maria Lopez said:
‘We played a really good game, especially in the first half. We have to keep improving our performance but tomorrow it will be better. India took advantage of their opportunities and that was difference.’
India 5-4 Spain (men) - Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar (IND)
India thought they had taken an early lead when Harmanpreet rifled home India’s first penalty corner attempt. A review saw that goal overturned and it was actually Spain who took the lead in the 14th minute when Pau Cunill scored his first goal in the FIH Pro League.
A minute later Harmanpreet once again stepped up for a penalty corner after a clever move in the circle by Lalit earned India their second penalty corner. Once again Harmanpreet found a way past Mario Garin in the Spanish goal and there was no argument this time.
The second quarter saw Spain begin to find new levels of energy and innovation, personified by their captain Marc Miralles.
It was Miralles who found his way onto the scoresheet, with a penalty corner and a penalty stroke in the 20th and 23rd minute. The two goal buffer not only built the Spanish team’s levels of confidence, it also served to create a sense of frustration amongst the Indian players.
The second half burst into life as Marc Miralles scored his hat trick with a beautifully taken reverse stick shot following a penalty corner rebound. At first, the goal was disallowed as it appeared to be outside the circle, but the decision was reversed and Spain took a 4-1 lead.
It was this action that galvanised India and suddenly, with the small group of spectators roaring them on, the home side were on the come-back trail. In the 41st minute Lakra Shilanand scored following a jinking run through the left-side of the Red Sticks defence and just two minutes later Shamsher Singh rattled home a penalty corner after Lalit Upadhyay drew a foul with some clever movements in the circle.
However, with four minutes left, Spain gifted India a penalty corner with a slip at the top of the circle and Kumar Vuran - on his 100th appearance for the senior team – was able to draw his team level with a fantastic turn and shot.
Player of the Match: Jaskaran Singh said:
‘We were losing in the first half but in the second half we made our chances, took them and won the match.’
Spain's captain Marc Miralles said:
‘It is tough for us because it is the same thing that happened against England, we lost in the final minutes. But, we played well and if we play like this tomorrow, we will be in a position to win.’
Result: Women's Match
India 2, Spain 1
Player of the Match, Devi Sharmila (IND)
Umpires: Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL), Deepak Joshi (IND), Javed Shaikh (IND, Video Umpire)
Result: Men’s Match 2
India 5, Spain 4
Player of the Match: Jaskaran Singh (IND)
Umpires: Raghu Prasad (IND), Javed Shaikh (IND), Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL-video).
