The Indian men’s hockey team on Sunday made a great comeback to demolish Spain 2–0 in the FIH Pro League’s Return leg match in Bhubaneswar. Despite Sukhjit Singh taking an edge through a goal, India lost 1-3 to Spain in the first leg match on Saturday. On Sunday, however, it was a completely different -looking Indian side as it dominated most of the match and for a full three -digit pockets, Mandeep Singh (32nd minute) and Dilpreet Singh (39th) He scored two fields from. India will play Germany next Tuesday.
It was India that enjoyed a better share of the ball possession and created more opportunities in the first two quarters, but failed to capitalize on the goals.
India had the first time in the fifth minute when Mandeep had a golden opportunity inside the circle, but Spanish keeper Rafael Rivila made a concrete savings to deny the Indian striker.
Second from the end of the first quarter, India earned a back-to-back penalty corner, but Jugraj Singh went up.
India’s Custodian Krishna Bahadur Pathak saved a good to reject his first shot on a goal in the 14th minute.
India captured and worked hard in the first two quarters, but failed to break a firm Spanish defense as the two teams failed to break the deadlock in the first half.
Two minutes after the end, India achieved another penalty corner, but Spanish goalkeeper Revilla saved Jugraj to deny.
But from the resulting free hit, Mandeep neatly saved India’s lead from the close range near Dilpreet.
Seven minutes later, Dilpreet scored his 32nd goal for India, which was with a spectacular deflection after being set up by Mandeep and Gurjant Singh.
In the 43rd minute, Spain earned a penalty corner, but his dragflikar Pepe Cunil recalled the target.
India too soon got a penalty corner, but Jugraj again misunderstood.
Back from two goals, Spain pressed the accelerator, earning some penalty corners in the final quarter, but stood long in the absence of Indian defense captain Harmanpreet Singh, who was resting for the game.
Earlier in the day, the Indian women’s hockey team fought twice before going below 1-2 in shoot-out against England, both teams finished 2–2 in regulation time.
Pagi Gilot (40th minute) and Tessa Howard (56th) scored two penalty corners for England in the regulation timer, while India’s Target Navneet Kaur (53rd) and Rutuja came from Dadoso Pisal (57th). Kaur did a penalty stroke, while Rutuja scored a field goal.
In the shoot-out, only Navneet scored for India, while the choice of skipper Salima Tete, Sunlita Topo and Lalramsia stumbled.
For England, Lily Walker and captain Sophie Hamilton were on the target in shoot-out.
Jeet gave England a bonus point. India defeated England 3–2 in the first phase here on the first Saturday.
Indian women will play Spain next Tuesday.
England started on an aggressive note, dominating the early exchanges. He enjoyed the possession of the ball in the first quarter and achieved the first penalty corner of the match in the ninth minute, but failed to achieve the previous veteran Savita Punia in front of the Indian goal.
England continued their dominance and achieved the second penalty corner in the 11th minute, but once again failed to break the Indian defense.
Kaur was the best player ever for India’s upfront, which quickly created an opportunity to his side with a run.
Kaur achieved India’s first penalty corner in the 16th minute, resulting in another piece of set, but the England goalkeeper rejected Manisha Chauhan with the second attempt.
In the 21st minute, Kaur was once again denied the close range by the English keeper.
A minute later, India earned another penalty corner, but Deepika’s flick widened as the two teams failed to break the deadlock in the first half.
After finishing, England had the first chance in the 38th minute as another penalty corner and one and two minutes later, which eventually broke the deadlock.
Gilot neatly disintegrated the skipper Sophie Hamilton in an ideal slap shot to give England a 1-0 lead.
In the 53rd minute, India achieved a penalty stroke for Stick Tackle, and Kaur made no mistake from the spot.
Three minutes later, India’s goalkeeper Savita saved a luxurious with her extended left leg with a set piece.
But after minutes, England acquired another penalty corner and Howard defeated Hamilton’s slap hit.
Immediately after the goal, India withdrew goalkeeper Savita for an additional field player and Rutuja made a brilliant start with Sunlita to attract Samata.
Second from the last hooter, England achieved another penalty corner, but India strictly defense to take the match in a shoot-out.
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