The Tribune

Terrassa, August 9

The hapless Indian hockey team received a morale-shattering 8-2 plastering at the hands of Spain in their first Test against their world number three rivals. The Spaniards simply toyed with the Indians, pumping in five goals in the first half before adding three more in the second session to complete the rout.

For the hosts, the goal-getters were Santi Freixa (3rd and 15th minutes), Xavi Ribas (14th), Albert Sala (26th), David Alegre (30th), Xavi Llenart (36th and 49th) and Victor Sojo (67th). India’s consolation goals were scored by Hari Prasad (51st) and Rajpal Singh (60th minute).

To make it worse, goalkeeper Sreejesh was shown the yellow card midway in the first half after he had charged on Santi Freixa, leaving 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 never allowed India to settle down in the lop-sided match and unleashed attacks at lightning speed, spearheaded by Freixa who was ably 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.