FIH Pro League 2024-25: Indian Men’s Hockey Team Starts Campaign with 3-1 Loss to Spain
Bhubaneswar/Patiala, 16 February (Sports Desk)
The Indian men’s hockey team began their FIH Pro League 2024-25 campaign with a 3-1 defeat against Spain at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Despite taking an early lead through Sukhjeet Singh , India failed to capitalize on their chances and eventually succumbed to a spirited Spanish side.
Match Summary
India, ranked world No. 5 , took the lead in the first half but were outplayed by eighth-ranked Spain , who scored through Borja Lacalle (28′) , Ignacio Cobos (38′) , and Bruno Avila (56′) . Sukhjeet Singh was the lone scorer for India, netting a brilliant goal in the 25th minute .
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First Half: India’s Promising Start
India started the match with attacking intent, earning their first penalty corner as early as the third minute . However, Jugraj Singh’s flick was brilliantly cleared by Spain’s first rusher.
In the 14th minute , India came close to breaking the deadlock when Abhishek set up Lalit Upadhyay with a precise pass. Lalit made a dazzling run into the circle but narrowly missed the target.
The breakthrough finally came in the 25th minute when Sukhjeet Singh scored India’s opening goal. After initially struggling to control a pass from Jarmanpreet Singh , Sukhjeet quickly recovered and unleashed a reverse-hit shot that found the back of the net.
However, India squandered a golden opportunity moments later, failing to convert another penalty corner. Spain capitalized on this lapse, equalizing just before halftime through Borja Lacalle in the 28th minute , leaving the scores tied at 1-1 at the break.
Second Half: Spain Takes Control
Spain dominated the second half, keeping India’s goalkeeper Krishan Pathak busy. They earned multiple penalty corners in the 33rd and 35th minutes , though they couldn’t convert initially.
The deadlock was broken in the 38th minute when Ignacio Cobos converted a penalty corner with precision, giving Spain the lead.
With momentum firmly on their side, Spain looked clinical in the final quarter. In the 56th minute , Bruno Avila sealed the victory with a well-executed drag-flick, scoring his maiden international goal to make it 3-1 .
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Key Performances
- Sukhjeet Singh (India): Scored India’s only goal with a composed finish in the 25th minute.
- Borja Lacalle (Spain): Equalized for Spain with a crucial goal in the 28th minute.
- Ignacio Cobos (Spain): Scored the go-ahead goal in the 38th minute, shifting momentum in Spain’s favor.
- Bruno Avila (Spain): Scored his first international goal in the 56th minute, sealing the win for Spain.
Missed Opportunities for India
Despite creating numerous chances through Abhishek , Sukhjeet , and Jarmanpreet , India struggled to convert their opportunities into goals. The inability to capitalize on penalty corners proved costly, as Spain’s clinical finishing made the difference.
Looking Ahead
The Indian men’s hockey team will have a chance to bounce back when they face Spain again in their next FIH Pro League match on Sunday . With room for improvement, the team will aim to regroup and deliver a stronger performance in front of their home crowd at the Kalinga Stadium.
This opening match highlighted the competitive nature of the FIH Pro League and served as a reminder of the fine margins that often decide such high-stakes encounters.
