India lose 1-2 to Spain at Torneo del Centenario 2023. (Twitter)
Spain’s Pau Cunill struck within the eleventh minute of the sport and Joaquin Menini doubled the host’s lead within the thirty third minute, earlier than Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh netted the lads in blue’s lone strike of the night time in useless within the 59th minute of the fixture.
The Indian males’s hockey group put up a tricky struggle earlier than being handed a 1-2 defeat by Spain within the aspect’s opening sport of the a centesimal Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation worldwide match.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh (59th minute) netted a purpose for India after Pau Cunill (eleventh) and Joaquin Menini (thirty third) had put the hosts in entrance on Tuesday.
India began the match on an aggressive observe with excessive urgent within the first quarter however have been unable to attain. Spain started to achieve momentum as the primary quarter progressed and Pau Cunill discovered the again of the online to place the hosts forward.
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With the scoreline stacked towards them, India seemed to regulate possession and launch a counterattack within the second quarter seeking an equaliser, however Spain’s defence held sturdy to stop the guests from bouncing again.
The second quarter ended goalless, with Spain main 1-0 at half-time.
The third quarter started with the Indian group in attacking mode and repeatedly testing Spain’s defence.
However, the hosts not solely stored India at bay but in addition doubled their lead by way of Joaquin Menini, who discovered himself in a really perfect place to deflect in a lighting shot by Jose Basterra three minutes after half-time resumption.
Trailing by two targets, India shifted gears to place relentless strain on Spain and even received a penalty nook, however have been unable to capitalise on it.
Also, Spain’s goalkeeper saved Harmanpreet’s fiery shot from a distance in direction of the top of the third quarter to ensure that the house group enters the ultimate quarter-hour of the sport with a two-goal cushion.
India got here out all weapons blazing within the fourth quarter and created some good scoring alternatives, however they nonetheless struggled to search out their first purpose of the sport.
Spain switched to counter-attacking mode and received back-to-back penalty corners, however have been unable to transform.
India continued to place strain on the house group’s defence, which paid off when Harmanpreet transformed a penalty nook within the dying minutes of the sport. Spain, nevertheless, prevented India from scoring one other purpose.
The Indian group will subsequent tackle the Netherlands on Wednesday.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated news company feed – PTI)
Source: www.news18.com
