India’s men rallied impressively from their opening-day defeat, delivering a strong performance to outclass Spain on the second day of FIH Hockey Pro League action in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Meanwhile, India’s women, fresh off their last-gasp victory against England a day earlier, fought valiantly in a gripping rematch but fell short in a shootout.
In the day’s other fixture, Spain’s women once again displayed their mastery of the steamy conditions to claim a second win over Germany.
(Women’s) Spain 2 – 1 Germany
Spain completed back-to-back 2-1 victories over Germany, again in 31-degree temperatures that seemed to suck the life out of the Germans in the final quarter.
Germany enjoyed more possession in the first half and tried to impose their structure on the match, while Spain threatened constantly with their high-paced counterattacking ability. The Spanish absorbed tremendous early pressure before Sofia Rogoski put them ahead in the 5th minute against the run of play. Aina Kresken then equalised for Germany with her first international goal in the 12th. Spain’s Clara Perez was the busier goalkeeper, and her sterling work kept it 1-1 at half time.
Spain took the lead from a pitch-length breakout in the 38th minute, Luciana Molina finishing well from close range for her first Spanish goal. Her side carried far more energy through the late part of the game, defending in numbers and running the Germans off their feet on the counterattack.
Spain’s goalkeeper Clara Perez received the player of the match award and said: “It was really hot under the helmet, but I think it didn’t help any team. I think we are more used to it… but I think what really helped us is that we are a team inside and outside the field and today was a really, really huge effort, the last quarter we really, really worked.”
(Women’s) India 2 – 2 England (SO: 1 – 2)
England made better use of their possession in a 2-2 draw with hosts India, and fought hard to snatch a bonus point with a 2-1 win in the shootout.
The English started at a frenetic pace, forcing India into errors throughout a dominant first quarter and earning a couple of penalty corners. The home side then reversed the momentum in the second quarter, but an engaging first half ended goalless.
The teams battled deep into the third quarter before England broke the deadlock, Paige Gillott’s first international goal coming from a devastating penalty corner deflection in the 40th minute.
Navneet Kaur equalised from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute to set up another thrilling finish. Tessa Howard then struck for England with a sliding penalty corner deflection three minutes later. India immediately pulled off their goalkeeper and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal got in behind England’s defence to level the scores. England had a last roll of the dice from a penalty corner with 18 seconds remaining, but the hosts kept it out to send the match to a shootout where the English prevailed after a poor start.
The player of the match award went to Paige Gillet who said: “I’m just really proud of how the team pulled together today. We were disappointed to lose yesterday in the dying minutes.”
(Men’s) India 2 – 0 Spain
Hosts India bounced back to delight the home fans with their 2-0 win over Spain. The Indians looked much sharper in just their second outing of the tournament and stepped up to dominate possession throughout the first half.
Spain may have been under pressure, but they were efficient on the ball and by half time both teams had created a similar quantity and quality of opportunities, with the score locked at 0-0.
India found the opening goal in the 32nd minute when Mandeep Singh tapped in at the post after slick team passing back into the circle from a long corner. Dilpreet Singh then doubled the lead with a difficult running deflection seven minutes later.
The Red Sticks showed great determination to swing the momentum in the final period. They camped on the attack, but despite some sensational flair and a flurry of penalty corners, they could not find a way past the sublime Suraj Karkera in India’s goal.
Dilpreet Singh was named player of the match for India and said: “It was a really good win for us after the disappointment of the loss yesterday. We had a meeting after that game and successfully implemented the changes today.”
Current Hero Top Scorers:
Women – Freeke Moes (NED), Yibbi Jansen (NED), Jinzhuang Tan (CHN) (4 goals)
Men – Tom Boon (BEL), Sam Ward (ENG) (8 goals)
To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.
FIH Hockey Pro League – 16 February 2025
Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar, India (IND)
Women
Result: Match 21 (W)
Spain 2 - 1 Germany
Player of the match: Clara Perez (ESP)
Umpires: Junko Wagatsuma (JPN), Ahmed Elsayed (EGY), Rawi Anbananthan (MAS-video)
Result: Match 22 (W)
India 2 - 2 England (SO: 1 - 2)
Player of the match: Paige Gillott (ENG)
Umpires: Annelize Rostron (RSA), Tamara Leonard (AUS), Timothy Sheahan (AUS-video)
Men
Result: Match 20 (M)
India 2 - 0 Spain
Player of the match: Dilpreet Singh (IND)
Umpires: Rawi Anbananthan (MAS), Bevan Nichol (NZL), Wanri Venter (RSA-video)
