Fortunes were reversed as did the results as the Indian men earned their first FIH Pro League points with a 2-0 win against Spain while the women suffered a heartbreaking shootout loss to England at the Kalinga Stadium here on Sunday.
The Indian men made as many as five changes from the side that the started on Saturday, including Harmanpreet Singh, with Hardik Singh stepping in as the skipper. That decision meant a change in position and strategy for the entire team — Dilpreet Singh and Gurjant Singh sharpening the attack, Hardik stepping back to bolster the defence and Manpreet Singh shouldering his old responsibilities as the central midfielder.
The senior pro showed why he was so highly rated in that area, being the initiator for both the goals India scored.
After a barren first half that saw India taking its time to measure up the situation and Spain impressing with its probing forays up front, the host shifted gears post the break.
Manpreet, from right outside the dotted line, put Sukhjeet through inside the circle, who passed on to a diving unmarked Dilpreet on the left before Mandeep Singh’s deft touch got India the opening goal in the 32nd minute.
Seven minutes later, Manpreet was again the creator, this time finding Gurjant inside the circle, followed by Mandeep and Dilpreet changing their roles for the latter to score.
The Indian team knowing it did not have its talismanic captain, changed its scoring plans and went for more open goals instead of repeatedly attempting to create penalty corners.
The Indian women, meanwhile, had to settle for one point, going down 2-1 in sudden death after being tied 2-2 in regulation time.
England, playing a lot more attacking game, took lead twice before India fought back through Navneet Kaur and debutant Rutuja Pisal.
Navneet then put India ahead in the shotouts but no one managed to find the target thereafter while England matched up, failing to get past a resolute Savita Punia before Sophie Hamilton added to Lily Walker’s goal to help it clinch a bonus point.
Spain women repeated their Saturday’s performance, winning 2-1 against Germany.
The results: Women: Spain 2 (Sofia Rogoski 5, Luciana Molina 38) bt Germany 1 (Aina Kresken 12).
India 2 (Navneet Kaur 53, Rutuja Pisal 57) drew with England 2 (Paige Gillott 40, Tessa Howard 56). England won 2-1 in shootout.
Men: India 2 (Mandeep Singh 32, Dilpreet Singh 39) bt Spain 0.
Published - February 16, 2025 10:26 pm IST
