5-Nation Tournament opener: Indian women's hockey team loses 2-3 to Spain, men's team loses 0-1 to Spain
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In the opening matches of the 5-Nation Tournament, the Indian women's and men's hockey teams encountered tough competition and faced respective defeats against Spain on Friday.
The Indian women's hockey team began their campaign with a closely contested match against Spain, ultimately succumbing to a 2-3 defeat.
Gurjit Kaur (13th minute) and Sangita Kumari (14th) contributed goals for India, while Sara Barrios Navarro (2nd), Patricia Alvarez Nardiz (30th), and Julia Strappato Garreta (53rd) found the net for Spain.
Spain initiated the game aggressively, securing an early lead as Navarro scored in the second minute. However, India swiftly countered, earning a penalty corner that Gurjit Kaur capitalised on, levelling the score. Soon after, Sangita Kumari's effort put India in the lead by the end of the first quarter.
The following quarter witnessed Spain's resilience, with Alvarez Nardiz equalising the score at 2-2. Despite both sides aiming for the lead in the third quarter, their solid defences maintained the deadlock.
In the final quarter, Spain broke the stalemate with Strappato Garreta's goal from a penalty corner, securing the win.
The Indian women's team is geared up to face Belgium in their next encounter on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Indian men's hockey team commenced their tournament journey with a disappointing 0-1 defeat against Spain.
Alvaro Iglesias' solitary goal in the 29th minute decided the match outcome.
Ranked third globally, the Indian men's team faced a setback against the eighth-ranked Spain. The encounter marked the third meeting between the two sides this year, with the earlier matches resulting in a win each.
Spain's early dominance forced a penalty corner save from Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak, setting the stage for Iglesias to capitalise and secure Spain's lead. Despite India's efforts to equalise, including two penalty corner opportunities in the last quarter, they couldn't breach Spain's defence.
The Indian men's hockey team is set to challenge reigning Olympic champions Belgium in their next match.