The Hindu

Terrassa (Spain): The Indian team received an 8-2 plastering at the hands of Spain in its first hockey Test here. The Spaniards, who are World No. 3, 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 host, Santi Freixa (3rd and 15th minutes), Xavi Ribas (14th), Albert Sala (26th), David Alegre (30th), Xavi Llenart (36th and 49th) and Victor Sojo (67th) were the scorers.

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 Freixa, leaving Vikram Pillay to do the job of the custodian 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 to be held 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, which 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 its European tour.

Its midfield and defence caved in right from the word go as the Spaniards repeatedly outwitted Sandeep Singh, Sardar Singh, Ignace Tirkey and V.S. Vinay.

Spain earned seven penalty corners while India got none.

India’s forwards were totally off-colour. — PTI