FIH Pro League: India Fight Hard but Lose to Spain in Shootout

The Indian men’s hockey team suffered a narrow defeat to Spain in a gripping encounter in the FIH (Fédération Internationale de Hockey) Pro League , going down 4-3 in the shootout after regulation time ended 1-1. The result handed Spain the bonus point, while India were left with just one point despite a spirited performance.

India appeared in control for most of the contest and held a 1-0 lead until the closing moments. The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Maninder Singh unleashed a superb tomahawk strike from a precise assist by captain Hardik Singh , giving India a deserved advantage. The Indian defence remained compact and disciplined for long stretches, but a lapse in the final minute allowed Spain’s Bruno Font to score the equaliser, forcing the match into a shootout.

The match was played at high intensity, with both teams creating multiple scoring opportunities. Spain earned an early penalty corner, but goalkeeper Mohit denied them with an excellent save. Suraj Karkera also produced several crucial interventions to keep Spanish attackers at bay. Spain were temporarily reduced in numbers after a green card late in the third quarter, yet India failed to capitalize on the advantage. In the final quarter, India’s Sanjay received a green card, briefly leaving the team short-handed. Despite India’s determined effort to protect their lead, the late Spanish equaliser shifted momentum dramatically.

With the scores level at the end of regulation time, the match moved to a shootout to determine the winner. Spain converted their chances with composure, while India missed key attempts including efforts from Abhishek and Hardik Singh resulting in a heartbreaking 3-4 defeat.

The FIH Pro League , organized by the Fédération Internationale de Hockey , features the world’s top national teams competing in a round-robin format, with results influencing global rankings and qualification pathways for major international tournaments. After seven matches, India remain near the bottom of the standings and are striving to regain momentum. They will have little time to regroup, with a crucial clash against Australia in Hobart next, offering another opportunity to secure valuable points and rebuild confidence.