Europe hockey Tour: India go down to Spain

Failing to sustain an aggressive start, the Indian men's hockey team went down to Spain 1-4 in its third match of the ongoing Europe Tour in Sant Cugat del Valles.

Indian forward SV Sunil scored the only goal for his team to level matters in the first quarter, but it was only downhill for the visitors from there.

In the first quarter, both the teams started with an aggressive game plan and attacked on each other's sides to try to take the early lead.

Spain opened their account in the ninth minute with a stunning field goal to make it 1-0. However, India reacted quickly and attacked fiercely.

In the next minute (10th), VR Raghunath gave a long pass to Sunil. He dribbled past a defender and hit the ball hard to score the first goal for his team. The Indians then did well to maintain the 1-1 score till end of the quarter.

In the third quarter, both the teams entered the ground with better strategies. However, it was Spain who managed to earn a penalty corner in the 31st minute and Pau Quemada converted it perfectly to take the lead again.

In the final quarter, both sides locked-horns again and looked for opportunities to score goals. Spain earned another penalty corner but it was saved by Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.

In the 53rd minute, Spain managed to earn another penalty corner and this time Jordi Carrera converted it effectively for their third goal of the match. Conceding two unfortunate goals, the Indians counter-attacked with more passion and kept the pressure on their opponents.

However, Spain made a surprise attack from the right flank and Roc Oliva scored the fourth goal for his team in the 56th minute and maintained their 4-1 winning scoreline till time.

The Sardar Singh-led team had earlier produced a perfect blend of aggression and defense under new coach Roelant Oltmans to claim a 2-0 win over France in their opening Test match.
This is a preparatory tour for the upcoming World League Final which will be held in India later this year. They have already made it to next year's Rio Olympics.

India will play their second match against Spain on August 12.