The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : In an exciting FIH Pro League encounter at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, the Indian men’s hockey team secured their first points of the season with a dominant 2-0 win over Spain. After a 1-3 loss in the first leg, the Indian team made a strong comeback in their return match. Mandeep Singh opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, followed by Dilpreet Singh’s goal in the 39th minute, which sealed the win for India. Despite creating several opportunities in the first half but failing to convert, India controlled possession throughout the match.
Goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak was crucial in India’s victory, making several vital saves to keep Spain at bay. The Indian defense held strong in the absence of captain Harmanpreet Singh, demonstrating resilience and coordination. The Indian men’s team will now prepare for their next challenge against Germany tomorrow, looking to continue their momentum after this hard-fought victory.
In the women’s match, India endured heartbreak as they lost 1-2 in a shootout to England, following a 2-2 draw in regulation time. Navneet Kaur and Rutuja Pisal were on the scoresheet for India, while Paige Gillot and Tessa Howard netted for England. The match saw India fighting hard, but it ultimately went to a shootout after both teams were tied at 2-2 after 60 minutes of play.
In the shootout, only Navneet Kaur managed to score for India, while England’s Lily Walker and Sophie Hamilton converted their chances to secure the win for their team. India had previously won the first leg 3-2, but this defeat meant they were unable to complete a series victory. The Indian women’s team will now shift focus to their next encounter, where they will take on Spain tomorrow, hoping to bounce back from the tough loss.
Both teams displayed commendable performances, with the men’s team showing resilience in the face of adversity, while the women’s team fought bravely but fell short in the shootout.
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