Indian women’s team concedes late goal to lose 3-4 against Spain in FIH Pro League

The Indian women’s hockey team conceded a late goal to lose 3-4 against Spain for its first defeat in the FIH Pro League at the Kalinga Stadium here on Sunday.
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World No. 9 India had defeated Spain, ranked sixth in the world, 2-1 in the first match of two-legged FIH Pro League tie on Saturday.
Xantal Gine scored the winner for Spain with just 35 seconds left in the match after Begona Garcia (4th, 24th minutes) struck a brace. Maialen Garcia (15th) also regered her name in the scoresheet from a penalty corner.
India’s goals were scored debutant Sangita Kumari (10th minute), Salima Tete (22nd) and Namita Toppo (49th).

Finest of margins. The win narrowly escaped us.
IND 3:4 ESP#IndiaKaGame #FIHProLeague #hockeyatitsbest #HockeyIndia @CMO_Odisha @sports_odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI pic.twitter.com/ZqesquZcxx
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) February 27, 2022
While it was India’s first defeat in four matches, Spain regered their first win in the FIH Pro League.
India had defeated China 7-1 and 2-1 in their opening two matches in Muscat, Oman earlier this month.
The Spanish team stunned India as early as in the fourth minute when Garcia got a superb touch into a ball that was going wide.
India drew parity six minutes later through a brilliant solo goal debutant Sangita Kumari, single-handedly dribbling past Spanish defenders to slot the ball into the back of the net.
Spain soon secured two back-to-back penalty corners but both the chances were defended brilliantly the Indians.
Spain restored their lead just at the stroke of the first quarter through Maialen Garcia, who superbly deflected home from a penalty corner.
India continued to put pressure on the Spanish defence in the second quarter and made numerous raids into the rival ‘D’ but failed in final execution as the visitors defended in numbers.
India drew level in the 22nd minute through Salima Tete, who picked up the ball at right flank near the mid-way mark, dribbled all the way through the centre in an angle and finished with aplomb.
India’s joy lasted just two minutes as Spain restored their lead soon through Belen Iglesias, who scored a superb field goal.
The enthralling first half ended with Spain in 3-2 lead.
The contest continued in the same pace after the change of ends with both India and Spain attacking each other’s defence with fast counter-attacks.
In the third quarter, Spain got a great chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke for a foul Tete after a penalty corner for the visitors. India skipper Savita, however, made a valiant save with her left foot to deny Sara Barrios.
Savita made another save from a one-on-one situation before India got a penalty corner but Monika’s shot was saved Spanish second goalkeeper Melanie Garcia as the third quarter ended with the hosts trailing 2-3.

Toppo scored in the 49th minute with a brilliant finish to draw level once again.
Thereafter, it was end-to-end fight as both the teams were in no mood to give in an inch to each other.

Two minutes from the hooter, Spain secured a penalty corner which was defended stoutly the Indians.
But the Spanish continued on the offensive and secured another penalty corner just 35 seconds from the final hooter and Xantal was bang on target with a grounded shot past Savita to seal the issue for her side.