ET 2009: Spain rout Indian men 8-2 at Terrassa
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Spain rout Indian men 8-2 at Terrassa
Spain fired with all guns blazing to destroy India 8-2 in the first Test of their Europe tour’s third phase at Terrassa last night.
Spain ranked world number three led 5-0 at half time and scored with regularity through Santi Freixa (3rd and 15th), Xavi Ribas (14th),, Albert Sala (26th), David Alegre (30th), Xavi Llenart (36th and 49th) and Victor Sojo (67th minute).
India’s consolation goals were scored by Hari Prasad (51st) and Rajpal Singh (60th minute).
Spain never allowed India to settle down and unleashed attacks at lightning speed spearheaded by Freixa supported by wingers Edward Tabau and Xavi Llenart.
India who rested goalkeeper Adrian D’souza, Dhananjay Mahadik, Prabodh Tirkey, Tushar Khandker, Ajitesh Roy and Shivendra Singh appeared rusty and lacked the spark as seen against England and Belgium in the first half of their European tour.
Their midfield and defence caved in from the start of play as the Spaniards repeatesucceeded with consummate ease to out manoeuver Sandeep Singh, Sardar Singh, Ignace Tirkey and VS Vinay repeatedly.
Goalkeeper Sreejesh was shown the yellow card midway in the first half as he charged on Santi Freixa which forcied Vikram Pillay to don the custodian’s mantle for the rest of the match. Freixa had to be hospitalised for a serious knee injury which doctors said would put him out of the Euro Nations Cup at Amstelveen, Holland, later this month.
Spain earned seven penalty corners while India got none. India’s forwards were totally off colour and there were mispasses galore between Bharat Chhikara, Prabhjot Singh, SV Sunil and Birendra Lakra.
Courtesy: Hockey India Media Release
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What an embarrassment we have become. This is the worst defeat to Spain.We once lost 8-0 to Germany (on grass!!)but I can’t remember us conceding 8 goals ever since.We have had 7 put past us and many, many 6s.I can’t see any hope for the future.This shows how far behind we are.I felt these kind of thrashings were in the past but Indian hockey has a nasty habit of disappointing us fans by getting worse every year.I suspect we will go very defensive for the rest of the tour and settle for less horrible thrashing and sneak back home with our tails between our legs and …go straight into the next 3 month camp to ‘rectify’ our mistakes.
Mr Ajeet what had i told you… Brasa cant get the best out of Indian team..i know its just some months but what a poor show….8-2 GOD DAMITT… this is embarrasing and a shame to us….we cant be on top like this…i have not seen the match, so i cant comment on players, but an advice to the guys , i have is that- please do something about it in the next match and please win the series….remember belgium defeated india 6-3 in the first match… we need to learn from this and go ahead…..but still its verrrrrrrrrrrry heartbreaking