Hockey: India’s World Cup dream ends after loss to Spain in crossover match

The Indian ladies’s hockey workforce crashed out of the FIH World Cup title race after dropping 0-1 to co-hosts Spain in a hard-fought crossover match right here on Monday.

After a fiercely-contested three quarters, the Indian defence let in a objective simply three minutes from the ultimate hooter when Marta Segu scored from a rebound to exit from the knock-out rounds.

As has been the case to date in the match, India fared poorly as soon as once more in changing penalty corners. They earned 4 in the sport towards Spain’s three however all the possibilities went in useless.

India’s first penalty nook got here in the eighth minute however the Spanish defence was up to the duty to deny any inroads.

In the primary quarter each the groups have been a bit of hesitant in their play, committing some unforced errors which resulted in only a few scoring possibilities.

After that it was all about Spain as they explored methods to get previous the India again line.

India captain Savita, in entrance of the objective, confirmed why she has such excessive status as she pulled off saves repeatedly to maintain the impasse intact.

Spain continued assault in the second quarter and in a second of goalkeeping brilliance, Savita made three consecutive saves, first from a Xantal Gine’s penalty nook strike, then a rebound from the identical participant and at last a rebound from Begona Garcia to maintain her aspect afloat.

Seconds later, India secured their second PC however first Spain goalie Melanie Garcia saved Monika’s shot after which Lucia Jimenez confirmed immense composure to maintain out the rebound.

India quickly created a fantastic alternative to take the lead when Salima Tete set it up for Vandana Kataraiya with an excellent run alongside the baseline however the latter dinked over the cross bar whereas making an attempt to chip it over Garcia’s attain as each the groups failed to break the stalemate at half time.

After the change of ends, India began on the entrance foot and Spain had to keep centered to maintain their opponent’s assaults at bay.

The momentum shifted forwards and backwards throughout the third quarter as each the groups have been wanting more and more frantic, ensuing in errors however the impasse nonetheless remained.

The fourth and closing quarter noticed each the groups creating early alternatives.

First an unmarked Sara Barrios shot extensive with solely Savita to beat after which a stunning flowing transfer by India was reduce out earlier than they might discover the telling shot.

Then Jimenez tried to juggle her method by means of the India defence solely to meet the inpenetrable Savita.

Spain’s Georgina Oliva then danced by means of the Indian defence however shot over the bar.

Monika additionally started made some nice runs to hassle the Spanish defence, however failed to yield any consequence from them.

The impasse lastly broke simply three minutes from the hooter by means of Marta Segu who scored from a rebound from shut vary after Clara Ycart’s preliminary shot was saved by Savita.

Leading by a objective, Spain did not make the ultimate minutes simple for themselves as they performed with 9 gamers with Garcia receiving a yellow card after which Segu receiving a inexperienced.

Despite having fun with the 2 participant benefit, the Indians failed to capitalise on the chance, thereby crashing out of the medal rounds.

India will subsequent play Canada for the ninth to sixteenth place classification match right here on Tuesday.

In the quarterfinals, New Zealand will play Germany, one other co-hosts Netherlands will likely be up towards Belgium, Australia will tackle Spain and England will sq. off towards Argentina.

(Only the headline and film of this report could have been reworked by the Business Standard employees; the remainder of the content material is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)