The Hague: India finally managed to earn their first points in the Hockey World Cup as they held Spain to a 1-1 draw as custodian PR Sreejesh effected at least four brilliant saves here on Thursday.
The Indian goalkeeper fought gallantly to effect numerous saves as Spain’s strikers often broke past the jittery Indian defence only to find Sreejesh standing like a rock.
India went into the lead, for the first time in this World Cup, courtesy a penalty stroke conversion by Rupinder Pal Singh in the 28th minute.
Roc Olivia equalised for Spain with a low flick just one minute before half time after Sreejesh had blocked two earlier shots on goal.
Spain forced the first penalty corner in the seventh minute, but Sergi Enrique’s drag flick was stopped by Indian custodian Sreejesh.
At the other end, Rupinder Pal’s long diagonal ball found striker Lalit Upadhyay, but his deflection was way off the target.
The Indian goal came under threat in the 17th minute when Salvador Piera was in a one-on-one position with goalkeeper Sreejesh, who padded away the shot.
Sreejesh was again in action to block the second Spanish penalty corner conceded by an erratic Indian defence.
India went into the lead on a penalty stroke that was awarded when Dharamvir Singh’s diagonal assist was picked up by Mandeep Singh on top of the circle.
He was tripped from behind by Spanish defender Ramon Alegre as he created space for a shy at the goal.
A lapse in their own territory by the Indians allowed Spain to get the equaliser.
Defender VR Raghunath lost the ball that allowed the Spaniards to build an attack with the Indian half-line out of their positions.
A couple of tries by the Spanish strikers were brilliantly parried by Sreejesh before Olivia slotted the ball into the goal. (PTI)
