Terassa (Spain), July 11: The Indian women’s hockey team crashed out of the FIH World Cup after losing 0-1 to co-hosts Spain in a hard-fought crossover match here on Monday.
After a fiercely-contested three quarters, the Indian defence let in a goal just three minutes from the final hooter when Marta Segu scored from a rebound to exit from the knock-out rounds.
India fared poorly once again in converting penalty corners. They earned four in the game against Spain’s three but all went in vain.
India’s first penalty corner came in the eighth minute but the Spanish defence was up to the task to deny any inroads.
In the first quarter both teams were hesitant in their play, committing unforced errors which resulted in very few scoring chances.
India captain Savita, in front of the goal, showed why she has such a high reputation as she pulled off saves time and again.
Spain continued attacking in the second quarter and in a moment of goalkeeping brilliance, Savita made three consecutive saves, first from a Xantal Gine’s penalty corner strike, then a rebound from the same player and finally a rebound from Begona Garcia to keep her side afloat.
Seconds later, India secured their second PC but first Spain goalie Melanie Garcia saved Monika’s shot and then Lucia Jimenez showed immense composure to keep out the rebound.
India soon created a great opportunity to take the lead when Salima Tete set it up for Vandana Kataraiya with a brilliant run along the baseline but the latter dinked over the cross bar while trying to chip it over Garcia’s reach as both the teams failed to break the stalemate at half time.
After the change of ends, India started on the front foot. The momentum shifted back and forth during the third quarter as both teams looked increasingly frantic.
The fourth and final quarter saw both teams creating early opportunities.
First an unmarked Sara Barrios shot wide with only Savita to beat and then a flowing move by India was cut out before they could find the telling shot.
Then Jimenez tried to juggle her way through the India defence only to meet the inpenetrable Savita.
The deadlock finally broke just three minutes from the hooter through Marta Segu who scored from a rebound after Clara Ycart’s initial shot was saved by Savita.
Leading by a goal, Spain didn’t make the final minutes easy for themselves as they played with nine players with Garcia receiving a yellow card and then Segu receiving a green.
India will next play Canada for the ninth to 16th place classification match here on Tuesday. (PTI)
