The Indian team on Thursday faced the first defeat of the FIH junior men’s hockey World Cup when they lost 4-1 in their second Pool C match against Spain. India had started off the tournament with a win against Korea on Tuesday but could not hold on to that form.
Spain started the match on the front foot and scored in the first minute through Pol Cabre Verdiell. India pushed hard for an equaliser India played some fantastic long balls to break down the man-to-man marking of Spain but failed to get that equaliser in the first quarter.
Spain kept up their domination in the second quarter and scored again to double their lead. Spanish Captain Andreas Rafi scored his second goal of the tournament to make the game more tough for the Indians.
The Indians kept up their attack but were unable change the scoreline in the second quarter. They did so in the third quarter, with Rohit decreasing the deficit for India from a penalty corner. The Indians looked right into the game and threatened to equalise, but it was the Spanish team that had the last laugh.
Pol Cabre Verdiell scored his second of the match to take the game beyond the Indians and the latter’s slumped shoulders proved that the game had gone beyond India’s reach.
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Spain added a fourth the at the end of the match, as captain Andreas Rafi scored his second of the match to inflict India with their first defeat of the World Cup.
India will next take on Canada in their third and final match of the group stage, with India needing a win to qualify after this defeat.
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