In the second match of the FIH Pro League, the Indian men defeated Spain 2-0

The Indian men’s hockey team bounced back in style after a disappointing start to their FIH Pro League campaign, securing a 2-0 victory over Spain at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. This win came just a day after India suffered a 3-1 defeat in their opening match, but the team showed remarkable improvement in their second outing. From the very first whistle, they looked far more composed in possession and displayed a higher level of intensity when pressing off the ball.

Despite their dominance, India struggled to create clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first half, as attacking moves frequently broke down near the final third. Head coach Craig Fulton addressed this issue at halftime, urging his team to be patient and focus on making that extra pass in the attacking zone rather than rushing plays. The tactical shift paid off almost immediately in the second half.

Mandeep Singh, who had been experiencing a goal drought both internationally and in the HIL, finally broke through to put India ahead. The goal came from quick thinking on a free-hit restart, with Dilpreet Singh taking a shot inside the circle that was initially saved. However, the rebound landed perfectly for Mandeep, who slotted it into an open net to give India a well-deserved lead.

India doubled their advantage soon after in the third quarter. This time, it was Dilpreet who found the back of the net. Mandeep played a crucial role in the buildup, receiving the ball on the turn and laying it off for Gurjant Singh. Though Gurjant’s shot was mishit, the ball deflected straight to Dilpreet, who calmly lifted it over the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

The final quarter was a true test for India’s defense, as they conceded several penalty corners. However, the defensive unit stood firm, with goalkeeper Suraj Karkera making crucial saves, while Jugraj Singh and Jarmanpreet Singh delivered outstanding performances to ensure India kept a clean sheet.