Press Trust of India
Sant Cugat del Valles (Spain), August 12: The Indian men’s hockey team returned to their winning ways and defeated hosts Spain 2-0 in the fourth match of the ongoing tour of Europe, here Wednesday.
After losing the first match 1-4, the Sardar Singh-led side bounced back strongly in the second match against Spain to level the series 1-1. Ramandeep Singh (17th) and Akashdeep Singh (33rd) scored two field goals to register the win for India.
Stunned by the loss in the first match against Spain, the Indians started aggressively. SV Sunil and Akashdeep exchanged some good passes to set up India’s first scoring chance but they were denied by the Spanish goalkeeper, who made a brilliant save.
Spain also made some good forays inside the Indian circle but visiting custodian PR Sreejesh was up to the mark as both teams failed to break the deadlock in the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter Sunil earned a penalty corner for India but the visitors failed to convert the chance. However, Ramandeep’s individual effort gave them the lead soon after.
After the change of ends, India started from where they had left off and kept good control over the proceedings. India’s positive play bore fruit three minutes into the third quarter when Akashdeep slammed the ball into the Spanish goal after receiving a beautiful pass from Ramandeep to double the lead.
Spain got a chance to pull one back in the final quarter when they earned a penalty corner but again Sreejesh came to his side’s rescue with another fine save.
