Europes’s gift to Asia, 5-2 for India-Pak
Precise European outfits England and Spain showed India and Pakistan respectively what it takes to put the ball in the net. This is how one can aptly sum up the way England first to Pakistan and Spain two hours to India taught India and Pak its brand of hockey. The former Asian giants dwarfted by the the goal scoring prowess of two Europeans on the fray today.
With third successive victory in as many as games, England became the strong claimant for the next week’s semifinals.
Precise Spain leads India 2-0 at half time in the third and last match of Day V in the 12th Hero Honda World Cup.
Albert Sala scored in the 19th minutes and seconds remained for the lemon time, captain Pol Amat punched another one to change sides 2-0.
It seemed goalie PR Sreejesh was rooted in his position when Albert Sala’ push from the right came, even as he was taking his shot from close range.
Indian defence was shaky and the Spaniards made use of it. First a casual clearance from Dhanjay Mahadik inside the circle, and the delayed clearnace led to India conceding a Penalty corner, but it was saved by PR Sreejesh. He conceded another one, before a stick check from Vikram also made the packed stands go in silence mode for a while.
India too got chances to equalize, but all its three penalty corners in the first half were well saved. Deepak Thakur meanwhile got a chance to put the ball in, but his diving deflection was wide off.
Sandeep, though, put once the ball inside the net three minutes into the break time, off a penalty corner, only one he got out of six tries, and then Baljit Singh Chandi tapped in from centre of the circle to enliven the full packed ground.
Perhaps, Dhananjay and Diwakar could have got a chance, but it was not to be.
While Spain went on to score three goals in the second half, Indians wasted the opportunities that Gurbaj, Arjun Halappa and Tushar Khandkar created.
India could convert only one of six penalty corners, an areas fast becoming India’s bugbear.
The hosts have lost two matches on trot after defeating Pakistan on the opening day.
Now, India will take on England on Saturday.