India vs Spain Highlights, Women's Hockey World Cup 2022: IND campaign ends with 0-1 loss to ESP

India managed to keep possession at the start of the play in Q2 but Spain remain tight in the defence. After Udita wins a corner, India lose possession thanks to Spain's brilliant marking.

India 0-0 Spain, Q2

The second quarter begins in Terrassa. Both teams are goalless after the first 15 minutes

End of Q1! The decisions in the final third may not have been very wise, but there have been quality attacks from both the sides. Spain came closest – twice – to securing a lead. The hosts have the momentum going into the break

The Spanish forward shoots it way over the goal and we are only a minute away from the end of Q1. This has been a closely-fought contest so far

First PC for Spain. Wasted! But referee awards another penalty corner as the ball touches the Indian defender's shoe. Missed again!

India 0-0 Spain

The counter-attack has seemed to charge the Spanish team. Another dangerous attack from Spanish forwards and this time, it's Navjot who has to intercept a rather dangerous pass. 

The first PC of the game goes to India. Wasted! And Spain makes a counter-attack straightaway! Three Spanish forwards charge into the Indian half as the women in blue attempt to make numbers behind. Poor decision making in the final third, however, as the Spain forward takes an attempt and barely misses the goalpost.

India 0

A rough challenge from Maialen on Lalremsiami and she gets a green card. Spain with a spell of possession but the ball goes astray after a long ball finds an Indian shirt

After an early attack from Spain, the action is largely taking place in Spain's half. A couple of good attacking moves and moreover, India are able to keep possession despite intense marking.

India 0-0 Spain

A poor referral from India and commentators say India are early to not lose one; must agree. The referee from the video room says no advice is possible and Spain gets a free hit.

India 0-0 Spain

An quick attack from Spain in the very first minute! But Indian defence remains alert to evade an early goal as Udita makes an interception

We are underway in the final match of the crossovers. A quarterfinal berth on the line as India and Spain begin proceedings in Terrassa!

Indian forward Navjot Kaur makes her 200th appearance for India tonight! An announcement is made ahead of the national anthems to congratulate Navjot on the feat.

The umpires walk out, followed by the two teams! India in blue, Spain in white. The national anthems are taking place as you read this. 

The players are on the field and warming-up. The Spanish team is having an intense team talk. It's World No.7 vs World No.9! 

Belgium 5-0 Chile

Germany 1-0 South Africa

England 5-0 South Korea

India vs Spain (?)

India scored only once from penalty corners in 15 attempts during the match against New Zealand at the Hockey World Cup 2022. In a do-or-die game against the co-hosts Spain, Savita Punia and co. will have to do better and be more lethal when it comes to PCs.

The Indian forward has scored in each of the three games; her goals have secured all 2 points for India in Pool B, and she had also scored the opening goal in the side's final pool game against New Zealand.

“We have got a great opportunity to qualify for the quarterfinals and carry forward the momentum from there. However, we will go into the game without putting too much pressure. We just need to play to our strengths and just focus on playing good hockey because eventually, that will help us get the desired results,” Deep Grace Ekka said ahead of the game.

The last time India took on Spain was during the FIH Pro League 2021/22, where both sides shared the honours. India had won the first match 2-1 before Spain beat the women in blue 4-3 in the second leg.

India XI: Savita (c), Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Udita, Sushila Chanu, Salima Tete, Neha, Navjot Kaur, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya

“We knew the pool matches were going to be really tough. We fought hard and never gave up, but it’s just that the results haven’t been in our favour. However, we should quickly put it behind us, and focus on what’s next. We are still in contention and will give our everything to qualify for the quarterfinals.”

The loser of the match between India and Spain will take on Canada in the 9th-16th place classification match.

New Zealand vs Germany

Netherlands vs Belgium

Australia vs winner of India vs Spain

Argentina vs England

Netherlands, New Zealand, Argentina, and Australia secured a direct entry to quarter-finals after topping the group. 

Belgium, Germany, and England won their respective crossover matches to fill the three berths out of remaining four. One of India and Spain will join the top-8.