Indians strike hard, defend well, manage to draw level

India picked up from where they had left off the day before to put up another sparkling display to overcome the fancied Spaniards 3-2 in the...

India picked up from where they had left off the day before to put up another sparkling display to overcome the fancied Spaniards 3-2 in the second and final Test at the Sector 42 Stadium here on Tuesday.

Having made early inroads, India kept Spain guessing at most times underlining a statement that augurs well for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Though they still need to work more on their fitness and finishing skills — as coach Gerhard Rach admitted after the game — India was indeed one up on the Olympic semi-finalists today.

Starring with

goals in the morale boosting win were Ignace Tirkey (10th minute), drag flicker Sandeep Singh (25th) and Arjun Halappa (57th). For Spain, Pau Quemada (48th) and Alberto Esteban (59th) scored off penalty corners.

Story continues below this ad

Pumped by the return of Vikram Pillay, who a good game, and the presence of skipper Dilip Tirkey (second half), the Indians attacked at every given opportunity and did well to hold the fort in the final trying moments of the match.

The strategy to draw first blood was clear as India attacked from the word go. V S Vinay made the first move, latching on to a loose pass from a Spanish defender and darted in a superb ball to Ignace Tirkey but the latter missed a sitter. Ignace made amends, this time off an Arjun Halappa rebound off the rival custodain’s pads. The push was enough to find the first goal.

	COACHSPEAK

			• The Europeans are much, much fitter. That is why we get into these tense moments towards the end. We will have to play back-to-back matches in the Champions Trophy and therefore we need to work hard on the fitness. We controlled the first half and I can say that these boys have reached a new level. Everyone could see that but there is still lots to do — Gerhard Rach

The hosts’ first of three penalty corners also resulted in a goal, setting Spain back 2-0. Sandeep Singh’s strike was well stopped by Spain goalkeeper Kiko Cortes but Vikram Pillay surged ahead to collect the high rebound, control and push in the ball. The goal was, however, negated by umpire Zulfiqar Haider, but he whistled for another penalty corner and this time round, Sandeep Singh’s strike was clean as whistle.

India’s third came off a penalty stroke, when Adam Sinclair was pushed off a clear scoring position by Spain defender Albert Sala. Halappa made no mistake, slotting the ball to the left top corner.

Story continues below this ad

Spain struck through their third penalty corner. And then the fourth, and then strove hard for the equaliser and kept the India defence on the alert towards the end, but it was to be in vain.