Indian Men's Hockey Team Aims for Redemption Against Spain in FIH Pro League

Aiming for a Turnaround

The Indian men's hockey squad is eager to reverse its fortunes in the FIH Pro League as they prepare to face Spain in a crucial match on Tuesday. The team draws motivation from their recent experience in a challenging draw against Australia.

India's journey in the nine-team tournament has been rocky, with five losses and a single draw recorded during the two legs held in Rourkela and Hobart. This string of defeats has led to increased scrutiny of coach Craig Fulton, who is under fire for the team's poor performance.

Despite the challenges, there was a positive development for India, as they made a captaincy switch mid-tournament. Regular captain Harmanpreet Singh withdrew from the Hobart leg for personal reasons, allowing young midfielder Hardik Singh to take the helm.

In their last match, India managed to hold the Kookaburras to a 2-2 draw in regular time, although they ultimately lost 4-5 in the shoot-out, marking their first point of the tournament.

Looking ahead to their match against Spain, who previously defeated them 2-0 in their opening game, India is hopeful for a comeback, especially recalling their victory over Spain in the bronze-medal match at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The rivalry between the two teams has been intense over the years, with results fluctuating, and India is keen to leverage this history to regain their momentum.

In their last encounter against Australia, Amit Rohidas and Jugraj Singh initially gave India a 2-0 advantage, but the recurring issue of conceding late goals emerged again, allowing the Australians to equalize and win in the penalty shoot-out.

Nonetheless, the fightback provided a much-needed morale boost after India faced a disheartening 0-8 defeat against Argentina in Rourkela.

Shilanand Lakra showcased his talent with a brilliant run and reverse-hit that beat the Australian goalkeeper, although the goal was disallowed due to a back-stick infringement. Youngster Aditya Lalage also made a notable impact.

Currently, India sits eighth in the FIH Pro League standings with just one point from six matches, with Pakistan trailing behind them after a tumultuous campaign.

This upcoming match against Spain is crucial as it is India's second-to-last game in the Hobart leg, followed by a rematch against Australia on Wednesday. The team will then head to Europe in June for matches in the Netherlands, Belgium, and England.

Before that, India's immediate objective is to secure points and improve their standing, with Belgium, Australia, and Argentina currently leading the table.

Performing well in the FIH Pro League is vital as the year includes the Asian Games in Japan, which also serves as a qualifying tournament for the Los Angeles Olympics, making it a critical period for team selection.