Bhubaneswar: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team bounced back in style, avenging their 1-3 defeat in the opening game with a commanding 2-0 victory against Spain at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 (Men). The thrilling match, held at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar, saw a passionate crowd turn up to support the home team. Goals from Mandeep Singh (32′) and Dilpreet Singh (39′) secured India’s first win of the season.
The opening quarter was a cagey affair, with both teams unable to find the net. India, however, displayed a much-improved defensive performance compared to the previous match, effectively neutralizing Spain’s attacking threats. Mandeep Singh had a golden opportunity in the 5th minute, but a swift intervention by a Spanish defender kept the scores level.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with India enjoying better ball possession and pressing hard to break Spain’s defence. Despite earning a penalty corner in the 18th minute, India couldn’t capitalize, leaving the scoreline unchanged at halftime.
Following the 10-minute break, India finally broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute. A penalty corner rebound fell perfectly for Mandeep Singh, who, with an assist from Dilpreet Singh, made no mistake in slotting the ball past the Spanish goalkeeper. The goal gave India a much-needed boost, and they quickly capitalized on the momentum.
Seven minutes later, Dilpreet Singh extended India’s lead to 2-0 with a brilliantly executed goal. Mandeep Singh lofted the ball to Gurjant Singh at the top of the circle, whose reverse hit was expertly deflected into the net by Dilpreet. The unorthodox shot proved effective, putting India firmly in control.
Both teams earned multiple penalty corners in the ensuing minutes but failed to convert. The final quarter saw Spain intensify their search for a goal, but India’s goalkeepers, Suraj Karkera and Krishan Pathak, stood firm between the posts. Tactical play and a cohesive team effort ensured India maintained their lead till the final whistle.
The victory was particularly commendable as India played without their captain, Harmanpreet Singh, who was rested for the match. With their first win in the bag, the Indian team will now set their sights on their next challenge against Germany on 18th February at 19:30 hrs.
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