PR Sreejesh’s heroics led India to a thrilling 8-7 penalty shootout win against Spain in the fifth match of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Monday. Sreejesh made one save in the penalty shootout, while Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Abhishek and Raj Kumar Pal converted chances to help India earn the bonus point.
Germany’s German Preet Singh (1st minute) and Abhishek (35th minute) each scored a goal for India, while Jose Bastella (3rd minute) and Borja Lacalle (15th minute) scored for Spain in regulation time.
India started the match aggressively with German Preet Singh (1st minute) scoring a stunning field goal from an acute angle in the first minute. Spain reacted well after falling behind and launched a quick counter-attack, which helped them win the PC. Jose Bastella (3rd minute) found the back of the net and Spain equalized. India kept constant pressure on the Spanish defense. Akashdeep got a PC soon after, but Harmanpreet Singh’s shot went wide.
With just a few seconds left in the first quarter, Borja Lacallé (15 minutes) received a pass from Spain captain Marc Miralles from the right side and found the back of the net, giving Spain the lead.
As the second quarter began, India got off to an aggressive start and put pressure on Spain’s defense with continuous attacks. Although India had more possession, the Spanish defense did not allow the Indian forwards to equalize. Spain led India 2-1 at half-time.
The third quarter was an interesting one as India tried to find a way to counterattack, with both teams playing fast-break hockey and intensifying their attacks. With India putting constant pressure on the Spanish defenders, India got a PC and Abhishek (35′) reacted quickly and fired the ball into the back of the goal to make the score 2-2. At the end of the third quarter, the score was tied at 2-2.
With less than 15 minutes remaining, India started to increase the pressure on Spain. A sustained attack gave India a PC with six minutes left, but Amit Rohidas’ shot was well blocked by the Spanish goalkeeper and the decision fell short. It was a game in which Spain gave it their all, with Sreejesh making some great saves in the final five minutes of the game, but could not find the back of the net and regulation time ended with a 2-2 scoreline.
India will play against Netherlands in the fourth match on Wednesday, February 21.