The Indian Men’s Hockey Team suffered a narrow 3–4 shootout defeat to Spain after the two sides were locked at 1–1 at the end of regulation time in their latest fixture of the Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26.
India had looked set to secure all three points after taking the lead through Maninder Singh, but a late strike from Bruno Font in the 59th minute forced the contest into a shootout.
Spain began the encounter with greater control of possession, probing the Indian defensive structure in the opening minutes. Their early intent earned them a penalty corner in the fourth minute, but goalkeeper Mohith made a comfortable save to deny the drag-flick. The Spanish side thought they had gone ahead in the eighth minute when Jose Basterra found the net, only for the effort to be ruled out.
India gradually settled into the contest and earned their first penalty corner in the 14th minute. However, Amit Rohidas’s drag-flick was turned away by Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado to keep the scores level at the end of the first quarter.
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The breakthrough came in the 19th minute following a moment of individual brilliance from skipper Hardik Singh. Winning possession in midfield, Hardik turned sharply before releasing Maninder Singh, who struck a powerful tomahawk into the net to hand India a 1–0 advantage. Spain responded immediately by forcing a penalty corner, but Suraj Karkera was equal to Pepe Cunill’s attempt and followed it up with another impressive save to deny Basterra moments later.
India nearly doubled their lead through Abhishek, whose enterprising run created space inside the circle, but the Spanish defence recovered in time to avert the danger. The visitors carried their slender advantage into halftime after absorbing sustained Spanish pressure in the closing minutes of the second quarter.
Spain resumed the second half with attacking urgency, pressing high in search of an equaliser. Their persistence resulted in consecutive penalty corners in the third quarter, both of which were expertly dealt with by Mohith. As the quarter progressed, Spain were reduced to ten players after Fortuno received a green card, offering India a brief numerical advantage. Jugraj Singh came close to capitalising on the opportunity from a penalty corner in the 44th minute, but Calzado once again produced a crucial save.
India themselves were reduced to ten men shortly after the restart in the fourth quarter when Sanjay was shown a green card in the 45th minute. Spain immediately pressed forward and won another penalty corner, but Karkera stood tall to preserve India’s lead.
As the final quarter wore on, India created opportunities on the counter-attack. Vishnukant Singh won a penalty corner in the 52nd minute, though Rohidas’s attempt went off target. Rajinder Singh also had a chance from another set-piece soon after, but his drag-flick failed to trouble the scoreboard.
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With India attempting to see out the closing stages of the match, Spain found a breakthrough in the 59th minute. A defensive lapse allowed Bruno Font to convert from close range, bringing the hosts back on level terms. Spain continued to apply pressure in the dying moments, earning three penalty corners in the final seconds, but India’s defence held firm to ensure the match ended 1–1 at full time.
The outcome was ultimately decided in the shootout, where missed attempts from Abhishek and Hardik Singh proved decisive. Spain converted four of their chances to secure a 4–3 victory in the shootout, while India had to settle for a solitary point from an otherwise competitive performance.
India will next face Australia in their fourth fixture of the Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26 on February 25 as they look to bounce back in the ongoing campaign.
