Hockey News: India beat Spain 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw
The Indian men's hockey squad defeated Spain 3-1 in the shootout following a 2-2 draw in their FIH Hockey Pro League clash at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on November 4
Within the regulation time, Harmanpreet Singh scored in India's 11th and 31st minutes, while Marc Miralles in the 42nd minute and Amat Pere in the 54th minute scored for Spain.
India started well and got an opportunity to open the scoring as Mandeep Singh penetrated the Spanish circle after receiving a pass from Jugraj Singh, but the Indian forward failed to convert.
India earned a penalty corner following an attack on the left flank, but Jugraj Singh's strike went wide. Soon after, Shamsher Singh won another penalty corner for India. Harmanpreet Singh took the shot and converted without mistakes to gain a 1-0 lead.
Spain began aggressively hunting for an equalizer, as Jordi Bonastre earned, only for Manpreet Singh to block the shot. Spain Captain Marc Miralles sent an excellent pass to Alvaro Iglesias inside the circle, creating a fantastic opportunity to level the score. However, the Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak saved the shot in a moment of goalkeeping brilliance.
Mandeep Singh won another penalty corner for India as they began the second half on the offensive. Harmanpreet Singh converted with ease and doubled the lead for the home side.
The Spanish forwards increased the intensity of their attack and earned two back-to-back penalty corners. However, Krishan Pathak denied them the goal. Marc Miralles finally opened the scoring for Spain in the ending moments of the third half.
Spain continued their attacking momentum in the final quarter and won another penalty corner. Abishek Lakra dribbled past the Spanish defenders to make a circle penetration, but his strike went off-target. Pere Amat managed to equalize the score for Spain in the 54th minute, forcing the match into a shootout.
Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak was the star of the shootout, saving shots to help India secure a 3-1 victory. Abhishek Lakra, Pal Raj Kumar, and Harmanpreet Singh scored for India in the shootout, while Clapes Gerard was the only one to convert for Spain.
The next FIH Hockey Pro League clash will feature Germany and Belgium locking in Mendoza, Argentina, on November 8.
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