best online casino no deposit sign up bonusIndia's Hardik Singh during the hockey match against Spain in the FIH Pro League 2024-25. Photo: FIH Pro League India's Hardik Singh during the hockey match against Spain in the FIH Pro League 2024-25. Photo: FIH Pro League Spain handed India a 3-1 defeat in a high-intensity FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 encounter at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Saturday. (Match Highlights | More Hockey News)goplay
Despite an early lead through Sukhjeet Singh, India struggled with penalty corner conversions, allowing Spain to capitalize through goals from Borja Lacalle (28’), Ignacio Cobos (38’), and Bruno Avila (56’).
India started aggressively, pressing high and creating multiple opportunities in the opening quarter. A penalty corner as early as the third minute was wasted when Jugraj Singh's flick was well-defended by Spain. Lalit Upadhyay also came close in the 14th minute but failed to convert after finding himself without support inside the circle.
“The final was really intense; the Chinese were breathing down our necks throughout the game and made it really difficult for us to create a clear goal scoring chance,” Harmanpreet said in a Hockey India release.
On Tuesday, deep inside Chinese Mongolia, the Harmanpreet Singh-led Men in Blue did just about enough to beat a spirited Chinese side. The occasion: the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024.
The second quarter saw Spain gradually gaining momentum. Goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, who replaced Krishan Pathak,bw777 login was kept busy, making crucial saves. However, India found the breakthrough in the 25th minute when Sukhjeet Singh recovered from a mis-trap to slot in a reverse shot. India had a chance to extend their lead but squandered another penalty corner opportunity in the 26th minute.
Spain responded swiftly, with Borja Lacalle equalizing in the 28th minute. Another missed Indian penalty corner attempt in the 29th minute saw the teams go into halftime level at 1-1.
The third quarter was an intense battle, with Pathak making key saves from Spain’s penalty corners. However, Spain took the lead in the 38th minute when Ignacio Cobos capitalized on a loose ball inside the circle, making it 2-1.
Trailing into the final quarter, India continued to struggle with set-piece execution. Their fate was sealed in the 56th minute when a defensive lapse by Harmanpreet Singh led to Spain winning a penalty corner. Bruno Avila stepped up to fire in a stunning drag-flick, marking his maiden international goal and securing Spain’s 3-1 victory.
India will aim for a comeback in the second match of the doubleheader on Sundaygoplay, seeking to improve their finishing and penalty corner conversion.