Hockey World League: India lose 2-4 to Spain in shootout, now eye Asia Cup for World Cup berth

File Photo: Indian Men’s Hockey Team.

The last time India-Spain met in a major tournament was at the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi, where the European side eased past the men in blue 5-2.

So when India took on the same opponents in the 5^th place play-off match in Rotterdam on Sunday, they had a lot to play for – after all, a lot was at stake – a 5^th place finish would ensure a 2014 World Cup berth.

However, the Indian aspirations were dealt an early blow when Olivia cracked their defence in the 2^nd minute beating PR Sreejesh all ends up.

The Michael Nobbs-coached Indians regrouped quickly and nearly drew level when Mandeep Singh’s rasping flick was brilliantly saved by Spanish goalkeeper Francesco Cortes.

The 11^th ranked side did not have to regret that miss as experienced Shivendra Singh restored parity in the 11^th minute, deflecting home a Vokkaliga Raghunath drill-in from outside the ‘D’.

Pepped up by the equaliser, India took the lead a minute later when Mandeep Singh whipped home a precise pass from the right flank by the overlapping Sandeep Singh.

The Spaniards did not know what hit them as India controlled possession after two goals in two minutes.

Mandeep even engineered India’s first penalty corner but Sandeep’s powerful drag-flick was blocked by Cortes.

Spain forced two penalty corners towards the latter stages of the first half but Sreejesh nullified their designs.

India looked good to add a couple to their tally but Cortes kept Spain in the contest thwarting incisive raids – first from Nitin and later from SV Sunil.

India led 2-1 at half-time.

The second half began with rain teeming down on the pitch. Spain looked a transformed outfit dominating possession even as India were pinned in their own half.

Spain forced as many five penalty corners but Sreejesh was outstanding, nipped out all their efforts.

Just when India looked like weathering the Spanish storm, the 7^th ranked side produced the equaliser through a fine reverse hit goal from David Alegre – the younger brother of captain Ramond Alegre.

The dying moments of the game were tense as both teams looked for the winner.

India suffered a setback when in-form Sunil was stretchered off the pitch after colliding into an advertising hoarding board while essaying an attacking move from the right.

India earned their second short corner in the 62^nd minute but Cortes foiled the effort of Raghunath.

India seemed to have sealed the match a few minutes later when Mandeep tapped home a superb Dharamvir Singh pass. Spain asked for a video referral which showed that Mandeep had rolled the ball into the cage off his foot and the goal was disallowed as both teams failed to break the deadlock in regulation time.

Shivendra Singh, Sardar Singh scored for India while Manpreet Singh and Akashdeep Singh missed the target as Spain won the shootout 4-2.

India will now have to seal their 2014 World Cup berth by winning the 2013 Asian Cup slated to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia in August.