Indian gamers rejoice after scoring towards Spain within the FIH Hockey PRO League on the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar, on February 10, 2024.
| Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT
The Indian men began their aggressive marketing campaign within the Olympic 12 months with a complete 4-1 win towards Spain of their FIH Pro League opener on Saturday, the win as spectacular for the efficiency because the end result.
The Indians, coming in from a blended South Africa tour that noticed them win simple towards lower-ranked host and France earlier than shedding huge towards the Netherlands — India’s subsequent opponent right here on Sunday — saved the tempo excessive. It was nice to see a fast-paced, open sport that had sufficient alternatives for each side and never restricted to being a sport of attrition within the center.
But it was the midfield that was on the coronary heart of the Indian crew’s superiority, with Hardik Singh controlling it brilliantly to arrange the assaults. The vice-captain was instrumental in incomes the primary PC for India that captain Harmanpreet Singh transformed, slamming onerous into the board.
In entrance of packed-as-usual stands, the Indians confirmed each pace and management, racing away with the ball when in possession however taking time contained in the circle to get into the correct positions.
Although there was just one open aim — a pretty reverse volley by Lalit Upadhyay off Sukhjeet’s cross, standing on their lonesome contained in the circle even because the Spaniards assumed a foul — Harmanpreet and Jugraj Singh ensured the seven PCs earned — and a stroke — wouldn’t be wasted, going 3-0 up at half-time.
The stand-out gamers, although, have been veterans Manpreet Singh and P.R. Sreejesh. Manpreet, ostensibly a midfielder, was all around the area, working the size of the turf from assault to defence, altering flanks as required and always preserving the opposition underneath strain.
With his pace and abilities, Manpreet saved disrupting assaults — Spain combating to get again into the sport within the second half with some well-timed pictures at aim, solely to be repeatedly thwarted by Sreejesh, together with two back-to-back saves.
Earlier, the Dutchmen overcame a spirited Ireland 5-1 to stay on high of the leaderboard.
The outcomes: Netherlands 5 (Jip Janssen 35, 52, Tjep Hoedemakers 12, Jorrit Croon 21, Steijn van Heijningen 53) bt Ireland 1 (Lee Cole 36); India 4 (Harmanpreet Singh 7, 20, Jugraj Singh 24, Lalit Upadhyay 50) bt Spain 1 (Marc Miralles 34).
