KOLKATA: Harmanpreet Singh explains why he considers himself one of the world’s best drug flickers as the Indian men’s hockey team defeated Spain 4-1 in the FIH Pro League opening match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. He once again showed that he can do it.
India got their first PC of the match in the seventh minute, when Harmanpreet sealed the win. The push was perfect, followed by a trap that sent Harmanpreet through the legs of Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado. As if it was inevitable.
India then got another PC early in the second quarter, followed by two more retakes. The Indian captain continued to send rockets towards the goal and Calzado tried his best to stop it, but in the end Harmanpreet was able to earn a penalty stroke.
And in the 20th minute, he effortlessly converted the ball after running past the goalkeeper and slotting the ball into the bottom right corner.
Harmanpreet, who won the player of the match award, gave the hosts the perfect start and four minutes later, Jugraj Singh scored India’s sixth PC of the match to make it 3-3. It was set to 0.
Spain regained their momentum in the third quarter and reduced their lead with a stroke from Marc Miralles four minutes after the restart. However, despite their dominance, the visiting team could not score any more goals as the Indian defenders, especially Jugraj, continued to make good blocks in the D half.
Spain got three more PCs in the final quarter, but a great run from Manpreet Singh, who was making his 350th appearance, prevented them from finding the back of the net. Meanwhile, with 10 minutes remaining in the match, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay scored a screamer to make it 4-1.
A few minutes earlier, he had missed a chance, but this time a pass from Sukhjit Singh from the left side was deflected and lobbed up, allowing Lalit to hit the ball into the net with a reverse hit from the half-volley.
It was a clean hit and India got the better of Spain and will play Australia on Sunday. Meanwhile, India will face the Netherlands, who defeated Ireland 5-1, on this day.
Coach Craig Fulton will be happy with his team’s attacking showing, but special mention must go to PR Sreejesh, who made a string of good saves to keep Spain at bay. Especially in the second quarter, he initially kept the PCs at bay and then made a double save.
However, Fulton probably won’t be too happy with Gurjant Singh’s performance. Not only did he concede a stroke, but he also received a yellow card for a reckless tackle in the final minutes of the game.
India got their first PC of the match in the seventh minute, when Harmanpreet sealed the win. The push was perfect, followed by a trap that sent Harmanpreet through the legs of Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado. As if it was inevitable.
India then got another PC early in the second quarter, followed by two more retakes. The Indian captain continued to send rockets towards the goal and Calzado tried his best to stop it, but in the end Harmanpreet was able to earn a penalty stroke.
And in the 20th minute, he effortlessly converted the ball after running past the goalkeeper and slotting the ball into the bottom right corner.
Harmanpreet, who won the player of the match award, gave the hosts the perfect start and four minutes later, Jugraj Singh scored India’s sixth PC of the match to make it 3-3. It was set to 0.
Spain regained their momentum in the third quarter and reduced their lead with a stroke from Marc Miralles four minutes after the restart. However, despite their dominance, the visiting team could not score any more goals as the Indian defenders, especially Jugraj, continued to make good blocks in the D half.
Spain got three more PCs in the final quarter, but a great run from Manpreet Singh, who was making his 350th appearance, prevented them from finding the back of the net. Meanwhile, with 10 minutes remaining in the match, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay scored a screamer to make it 4-1.
Expanding
It was a clean hit and India got the better of Spain and will play Australia on Sunday. Meanwhile, India will face the Netherlands, who defeated Ireland 5-1, on this day.
Coach Craig Fulton will be happy with his team’s attacking showing, but special mention must go to PR Sreejesh, who made a string of good saves to keep Spain at bay. Especially in the second quarter, he initially kept the PCs at bay and then made a double save.
However, Fulton probably won’t be too happy with Gurjant Singh’s performance. Not only did he concede a stroke, but he also received a yellow card for a reckless tackle in the final minutes of the game.