India vs Spain Hockey Highlights, FIH Pro League 2024/25: IND seal solid 2-0 win vs ESP, get on the board in Pro League

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: And India hang onto their cleansheet after their two goals in the third quarter.

Strong showing in the frontline and also from the goaltenders at the back, and India are on the board with their first three points of the FIH Pro League season.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Suraj Karkera comes into the net for Krishan in this second half, and responds when called into business.

First a great save to his left from a penalty corner, and then a second right after to his right. India will be happy with how solid their keepers have been in this game.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: The two-goal lead allowing India to keep the ball and knock it around patiently. They will now want Spain to come at them and create cracks in their structure.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Big call right at the end of the third quarter, as Spain review for an intentional block call from an India penalty corner and have it go their way.

On the follow-up PC, it's another good drag-flick, but goalie Rafael Revilla is very quick to poke a leg out and bring an end to the danger.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Spain nearly get one back there. It's a good injection from the PC, and a solid drag flick. Flies narrowly wide of the post, Krishan wasn't getting to that one.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: There's the second goal of the match! A well-crafted attack from India, working it around for an easy look for Dilpreet, who is able to chip it over the Spanish goalie to double India's lead.

Solid hockey from the hosts.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: There's the goal!!! Another penalty corner for India, and it's a better attempt this time.

No conversion, but India act quickly in the chaos. In the ensuing standard corner, the ball breaks loose for Dilpreet, who is able to maneuver at full stretch and find Mandeep. It's the easiest of goals into an empty net with the goaltender overcommitting.

Another lead for India.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Sides swap, and we are off for the second half, with both teams looking for a goal.

Spain with a circle entry, but comes to nothing as an ice-cool Dilpreet eases the pressure and sends India the other way.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Quiet contest so far, you could see India adding some urgency into their attack towards the end of this quarter but not enough time to break through the solid Spanish defence.

0-0 at the break. Hopefully some action waiting for us on the other side of the interval.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Lovely tricky, flowing move by Spain to generate an opening for themselves. Little passes around the corner, a snapshot from the heart of the circle, but not a lot of pace on it.

Krishan can get down and palm it away. 5 minutes left in the half.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Staunch defence from Spain throughout, inviting pressure but rock solid in their defensive shape to not give any openings.

A little sloppy from the visiting team while trying to play in transition, not looking clear looks themselves.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Sukhjeet Singh earns India the first PC chance of the night at the death in the first quarter… and it doesn't stick on the reception. India get another chance, but Spain are able to keep it out.

That's all for the first quarter, goalless but India will feel they should have scored.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: First-time shot from the edge of the circle on Spain's first concerted attack, and it's on target. Pathak makes sure to keep the feet together, the ball doesn't sneak through.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Beyond being the leader for this Indian unit, Harmanpreet is also considered one of the finest drag-flickers in the world.

India already struggled from penalty corners, going goalless in their five attempts in the previous match. Can the rest of the team step up in those situations to take advantage?

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: A great early look for Mandeep as the ball finds its way to his feet in the circle. He gets a good look and tries to slide it home, but the Spanish keeper stands strong to keep it out.

Mandeep will know it should be 1-0.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Big miss for India as captain Harmanpreet misses out, with Hardik Singh the stand-in captain.

The ball gets rolling, and India dominating early with some pressure.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Almost ready for the start, as Spain's players run out onto the field, with the hosts following right after, and we are waiting for proceedings to begin.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: On the verge of this contest starting now. India in need of putting the pieces together quickly and clicking back into gear ahead of this crucial home stand in the Pro League. Spain look to keep their upturn in form going.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: India vs Spain encounters have been very tight in recent years, with India narrowly leading their head-to-head 5-4 since the year 2020.

Even the first contest this week was a tightly-contested and even one, with it just being a matter of India's attacks falling apart at crucial junctures and leaving them with only the solitary goal to speak of.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Craig Fulton’s approach prioritizes control, discipline, and structured counter-attacks. While the Hockey India League allowed players to thrive in systems that complemented their individual strengths, the transition to the national team demands adaptability. Those who impressed in the domestic league must now adjust to Fulton’s tactical blueprint

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: If there’s one major area India needs to address before facing Spain again, it’s their finishing. The previous encounter exposed their inefficiency in front of goal, with the team managing just five circle penetrations and earning five penalty corners – none of which were converted. In contrast, Spain capitalized on their chances, converting two of their eight penalty corners to seal the win.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh insisted that while the side did play well against Spain in their opener, they struggled at finishing chances. "We played really well...we created a lot of good chances. We could have finished better...we will try not to make any mistakes in the coming matches," Harmanpreet said.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Contrary to the men, India women's team made a winning start to their FIH Pro League campaign, defeating England 3-2. They're currently taking on the same team in the rematch in the league phase, with both teams currently goalless in the second quarter.

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: One of the challenges for India has been the lack of time together as a unit. With players recently returning from the Hockey India League, where they operated under different systems and alongside different teammates, cohesion has been a work in progress. But now, with a game under their belt, Fulton will expect his team to step up, find their rhythm, and deliver a more cohesive performance.

Can India bounce back and make a statement this time?

India vs Spain Hockey Live Score, FIH Pro League 2024/25: Spain looked clearly the better side in India's opening clash in Bhubaneswar, as the hosts lacked cohesion upfront and a defensive strategy. India conceded multiple penalty corners right after their first goal, particularly in the third and fourth quarters, giving Spain the momentum. To make the matters worse, India's own conversion rate with PCs was woeful.