The Indian men's hockey team bounced back nicely after losing the season opener of the FIH Pro League at home as they beat Spain 2-0 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
India started their campaign with a 3-1 loss on Satuday evening, but right from the first whistle in this second game, looked like a completely different team. They were secure in possession, and intense out of it. However, despite that, in the first half, they really didn't create too many attacking opportunities as moves kept breaking down in and around the attacking circle.
At half-time, Craig Fulton said that his team needed to be more patient and look for that additional pass in the final third, rather than trying to force things, and that swiftly worked for India.
Mandeep Singh, starved off goals recently, both at international level and in the HIL was on hand to give India the lead, after quick play from a free hit restart saw the ball land on Dilpreet Singh's stick in the circle, and his shot was saved. Eventually, the rebound fell kindly to Mandeep, who had the easy task of putting the ball into an open net.
India swiftly doubled hteir lead as well in the third quarter, and this time, it was Dilpreet who got the final touch. Mandeep was involved in the build-up, receiving the ball on the turn in the circle, and then laying it off for Gurjant Singh. His shot was scuffed, but Dilpreet was right in its path, and it fell to him kindly as he dinked the ball over the goalkeeper to give India some breathing room.
The fourth quarter was a tough test for India. They conceded a host of penalty corners, but they defended superbly, with Suraj Karkera making saves when he was called upon, while the likes of Jugraj Singh and Jarmanpreet Singh also put in superb defensive shifts.
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