FIH Pro League 2024-25: Erratic Indian women’s team goes down to Spain, men brushed aside by Germany

It was a disappointing day for Indian hockey with both the men and women dropping points in their respective FIH Pro League games at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

Resuming after a day’s break, the Indian women went down 4-3 to Spain for its second loss in as many games while the men, playing without some of its main players, barely put up a fight in their 1-4 loss to Germany.

The women paid the price for being erratic and wayward despite starting well as Spain raked up its third win on the trot to climb up to second spot. Debutants Sakshi Rana and Jyoti Singh impressed in patches, the former scoring her maiden international goal, but barring the third quarter when the Indians appeared to proactively seek parity, the team seemed to rely more on its opponent’s mistakes to get the goals.

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

India had to wait till the 19th minute for the opener, Baljeet Kaur perfectly positioned in front of the goal to deflect Deepika’s pass in. Two minutes later, the ball traversed the circle from right to left of the Indian circle before Sofia Rogoski found the net through the smallest of gaps between Savita’s shoulders and the post.

The lead kept changing hands, India capitalising on goalmouth melees, till 3-3 before Lucia Jimenez took a quick free hit from just outside the circle in the 52nd minute, stepped inside and unleashed a powerful smash that left the entire Indian defence and the goalkeeper rooted.

German players (pink) celebrate after scoring a goal during the 4-1 win over India in the FIH Pro League 2024-25 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
BISWARANJAN ROUT/THE HINDU

The men, however, were less than impressive in their first competitive outing against Germany since the bilateral series in October. Playing without some of the key members – Harmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh and Sumit Valmiki all being out with injuries – and led by Amit Rohidas, India had its defence all over the place and the attack unable to pierce the rock-solid German backline. Five wasted PCs did not help.

The only worthwhile move by the Indian forwards came in the 13th minute and resulted in the team’s lone goal when Rajinder Singh wove past three defenders, passed Abhishek who sent it to Gurjant to deflect in. The Germans, on the other hand, simply outplayed the host in every department.

The Spanish men suffered a 1-0 defeat in shootouts to England after the teams were tied 2-2 in regulation time.