New Delhi: The Indian women’s hockey team failed to continue their winning run in the ongoing FIH Pro League 2025 on Tuesday as they slipped to their first defeat in the tournament. India lost 4-3 to Spain in a thriller at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. India dominated the proceedings for most of the game before Spain staged a brilliant comeback in the 4th quarter to clinch a nail-biting win.
India made a strong start in the game and took the lead in the 19th minute in the second quarter when Baljeet Kaur scored the opener for the hosts. However, India’s lead didn’t last long as Spain equalised through Sofia Rogoski in the 21st minute to make it 1-1. Spain then went on to take the lead in the 25th minute when Estel Petchame scored in the 25th minute to make it two goals for the visitors in the same quarter.
The hosts equalised in the third quarter through Sakshi Rana after Petchame’s 25th-minute strike put Spain ahead. Rana pressed well and won the ball on the right before beating the Spanish defenders to launch a powerful strike which comfortably beat the keeper. It was Rana’s first goal for India at the international level and helped the country equalise to make it 2-2.
India rode on the momentum after Rana’s goal as they scored again through Estel Petchame in the 45th minute towards the end of the third quarter to once again take the lead at 3-2. Petchame capitalised on a pass from Deepika close to the Spain goal and somehow managed to push into the back of the net to restore India’s lead in the game.
Spain stage brilliant comeback to win 4-2
Spain made a brilliant comeback in the final 4th quarter as they scored twice in quick succession to beat India 4-2. Spain converted two penalty corners in the final quarter to dash India’s hopes of claiming a victory. Petchame scored on a rebound for her second hold of the night to level things for Spain at 3-3 before Lucia Jimenez scored from an exceptional reverse strike to put the visitors 4-3 ahead with 8 minutes left on the clock.
Indian forwards tried hard to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat towards the end of the match but Spain’s resolute defence ensured they won the game. India had earlier defeated England 3-2 in a thriller in their opening encounter to bag their first win in the tournament.
The Indian women’s team lost 4-3 to Spain in a thrilling encounter in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025 on Tuesday, Febraury 18. The Indian women’s team beat England in their last game. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
