Times Of India

NEW DELHI: A brace each from Santi Freixa and Xavi Llenart helped Spain to demolish India 8-2 in the first hockey Test match at Terrassa.

According to information received here, world No.3 Spain fired with all guns blazing and led 5-0 at the half time on Friday night.

Freixa (3rd and 15th), Xavi Ribas (14th), Albert Sala (26th), David Alegre (30th), Xavi Llenart (36th and 49th) and Victor Sojo (67th) were on target for the hosts while Hari Prasad (51st) and Rajpal Singh (60th) scored for India.

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.

India’s midfield and defence caved in from the start of play as the Spaniards attacked with ease.

India goalkeeper Sreejesh was shown the yellow card midway in the first half as he charged on Freixa, which forced 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, S.V. Sunil and Birendra Lakra.