Harpal Singh Bedi
Playing to a plan strong contender Spain overwhelmed two-time champion India 4-1 in a pool C match of the FIH junior men’s hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday .
Spain are now heading the Pool with six points from two wins, while Korea who beat Canada4-1 are second ahead of India on goal difference, with both sides having three points each. The fourth team in the pool, Canada, have lost both their matches so far.
Uttam Singh’s led side, started their campaign with a 4-2 victory against Korea but today the team looked clueless against the fast paced Spain, who made full use of the opportunities and crowded their defence resolutely to deny India penalty corner conversions.
Cabre Verdiell Pol (1st, 41st min) and Rafi Andreas (18th, 60th) were on target for the Spaniards, while for India, Rohit, converted a penalty corner in the 33rd minute.
Surprisingly India started on a tentative note and conceded a goal in the very first minute. Spain’s searing pace helped them to rattle the rival defence when an unmarked Cabre took just 51 seconds to stun India. The forward, who was unmarked just in front of the goalkeeper made no mistake in deflecting the ball home.
India tried rotating the mid-fielders following the jolt but were unable to find pierce the sturdy Spanish. Uttam’s side did manage a few circle penetration play but the equaliser eluded them. Just when it looked that India was finding their bearing, captain Andreas’s powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner beat the goalkeeper all ends up, leaving the men in blue bewildered
India did pull one back in the 33rd minute after missing two PC opportunities in quick succession when Rohit slotted home the third to make it 1-2. But the joy was short-lived as Cabre struck his second goal of the match to regain the two-goal lead.
Spain goalkeeper Capellades Jan stood out for his pluck and anticipation, saving at least 3-4 sure-shot strikes from rival forwards. India earned three penalty corners between the 55th and 57th minutes but Capellades put his body on the line to deny them success. Spain earned a penalty stroke in the last minute and made no mistake in converting it to make it 4-1
India will play their last pool match against Canada on Saturday and need a big win in this match and also hoping that Spain beats Korea with good margin.