Hindustan Times

India’s perennial habit of conceding last minute goal undid all the good work and the visitors went down 4-5 in their third and final hockey Test against Spain in Terrassa.

India came back from a 1-4 deficit to level the score but Albert Sala’s 70th minute strike crushed their hopes.

Xavi Ribas (8th), Eduard Tabau (12th), David Alegre (25th), Alex Fabregas (27th) and Sala (70th min) were the goal-scorers for Spain, while India reduced margin through Sardara Singh (28th), Vikram Pillay (54th and 57th) and Sandeep Singh (66th min).

India had received a 2-8 mauling at the hands of Spain in the first Test before the visitors pulled one back by winning the second match — a truncated friendly of 40 minutes — by a solitary goal.

India now travel to Amsterdam for the final leg of their Europe tour where they play Holland on Friday and Sunday.

The hosts began aggressively with constant raids on the Indian defence. India conceded a penalty corner in the eighth minute and Ribas made no mistake as he sunk one low on the left of goalkeeper Adrian Dsouza to take lead.