By Avishek Roy, IANS,
New Delhi : India wasted far too many chances to go down 2-5 to Olympic silver medallist Spain and with it their World Cup hopes lie in shambles here Thursday.
In a free flowing Pool B contest, India and Spain played a fast-paced attacking game but the hosts had to surrender before a better team on show.
Spain’s Albert Sala (19th minute) scored the first goal while skipper Pol Amat (35th minute) added to the tally at the stroke of interval. Sandeep Singh (39th minute) converted a penalty corner at the start of the second half but Spain immediately struck in quick succession through Pau Quemada (41st minute) and Roc Oliva (42nd minute) to increase the lead.
Gurwinder Singh Chandi (43rd minute) narrowed the margin before Quemada (67th minute) slotted home another penalty corner to take the match away from India.
India lost their second consecutive match after going down to Australia by the same margin following their victory over Pakistan in the opener.
England, after their victory against Pakistan Thursday, lead the group with nine points followed by Australia and Spain with six points each. India and Pakistan have both collected three points, but the hosts are fourth on better goal difference.
Mathematically, India still have slender chance of making the semi-final provided they win their remaining two ties opposite England and South Africa but even then their fortunes will heavily depend on the results of other matches in the Pool.
India’s Spanish coach Jose Brasa conceded that he has given up hopes of a semi-final finish.
“We have no chance of making the semi-finals now. Our main aim is to finish among the top five,” Brasa said.
India showed purpose right from the start but were outsmarted by a better opponent. The hosts converted only one of the six penalty corners with Spanish goalkeeper Francisco Cortes making some brilliant saves.
The forwards failed to give finishing touches to the moves while the defence lapses cost them dear. Amat was allowed to move freely and the veteran proved to be the difference between the two teams. The forward was simply brilliant as he created chances showing fine ball control and splitting open the Indian defence.
If Amat was the playmaker on the field, goalkeeper Cortes led the Spanish defence in thwarting Indian moves.
Both teams set a fast pace game right from the start and were up to the rival defence in a flash.
Prabhjot Singh failed to connect a Rajpal Singh cross while Xavi Lleonart missed in the front of the Indian goal.
Sala scored first with a firm strike from the top of the circle taking advantage of a lapse in the Indian defence.
Cortes then made two brilliant saves first stopping Sandeep’s penalty corner strike and then palmed out the rebound shot from Sardara Singh.
India made some good moves but failed to get the ball past an alert Spanish citadel. Amat then added to the tally with a deft touch just before the break.
India came back strong in the second half to force some penalty corners. Sandeep converted a short corner with a low carpet drive with the crowd roaring for the home team.
But Spain immediately struck back with vengeance – a field goal and a penalty corner conversion – in succession to increase the lead to 4-1.
India pulled back one through Chandi immediately. Deepak Thakur missed an easy chance when he failed to connect a cross.
The hosts then made several forays and got four more penalty corners but Cortes stood tall under the Spanish bar.