Harmanpreet’s brace in adversity guides hosts to 5-4 win v Spain
India’s Harmanpreet Singh celebrates scoring against Spain on Saturday
The Indian men’s hockey team made a remarkable comeback from three goals down to eke out a sensational 5-4 win over Spain in an edge-of-the-seat thriller in the FIH Pro League here on Saturday.
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Up against World No.9 Spain, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists India were stunned when the visitors took a 4-1 lead through a hat-trick from skipper Marc Miralles (20th, 23rd, 40th minutes) and Pau Cunill (14th).
Memorable win
But the hosts scored through Harmanpreet Singh (15th, 60th), Shilanand Lakra (41st), Shamsher Singh (43rd) and Varun Kumar (55th) to register one of the most memorable comebacks in the history of the game.
India now have registered four wins out of five outings in the FIH Pro League. Both the teams will face off against each other again on Sunday.
It was a pulsating first 15 minutes of the first-leg match with both the teams matching each other stick for stick.
Spain had the first shy at the goal when they secured a penalty corner in the fifth minute, but shot wide. India soon earned a penalty corner, which was converted by Harmanpreet but the goal was disallowed for dangerous play.
Spanish grit
In the 13th minute, India came tantalisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Mandeep Singh’s deflection from skipper Manpreet Singh’s pass was saved by the agile Spanish goalkeeper. From the very next move, Spain secured their second penalty corner and Pau Cunill’s powerful flick proved to be too good for India custodian Suraj Karkare, as the visitors took a 1-0 lead. India responded with just 18 seconds remaining in the clock from the first quarter when Harmanpreet found the back of the Spanish net with a fierce dragflcik.
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