FIH Pro League 2024-25: Indian men beat Spain 2-0, women lose to England in shootout

In a reversal of fortunes as well as results, the Indian men earned their first FIH Pro League points with a 2-0 win against Spain while the women suffered a heartbreaking shootout defeat against England at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

India made as many as five changes from the side that played the opener on Saturday, including Harmanpreet Singh with Hardik Singh stepping in as the skipper. That decision meant a change in position and strategy for the entire team – Dilpreet Singh and Gurjant Singh sharpening the attack, Hardik stepping back to bolster the defence and Manpreet Singh shouldering his old responsibilities as the central midfielder.

The senior pro showed why he was so highly rated in that area, being the initiator for both the goals India scored. After a barren first half that saw both, India taking its time to measure up the situation and Spain impressing with its probing forays upfront, India shifted gears post break.

Manpreet, from right outside the dotted line, put Sukhjeet Singh through inside the circle, who passed on to a diving unmarked Dilpreet on the left before Mandeep Singh’s deft touch got India the opening goal in the 32nd minute. Seven minutes later, Manpreet was again the creator, this time finding Gurjant inside the circle, followed by Mandeep and Dilpreet changing their roles for the latter to score.

READ | FIH Pro League 2024-25: Indian men, women make contrasting starts to their campaign

In hindsight, the absence of Harmanpreet may well have been to India’s advantage as the team, knowing it did not have its talismanic captain, changed its scoring plans and went for more open goals instead of repeatedly attempting to create penalty corners.

India’s Rutuja Pisal (Jersey No. 35) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the women’s FIH Pro League match against England at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
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The Indian women, meanwhile, had to settle for one point, going down 2-1 in sudden death in the penalty shootout after being tied 2-2 in regulation time.

England, playing a lot more attacking game, took lead twice before India fought back through Navneet Kaur and debutant Rutuja Pisal. Navneet then put India ahead in the shootout but no one managed to find the target thereafter. England matched up after Lily Walker managed to get past a resolute Savita Punia before Sophie Hamilton’s goal helped her side clinch a bonus point.

Spain women repeated their Saturday’s performance, winning 2-1 against Germany.