India overcome Spain 3-2 in crucial tie

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Sydney: The Indian hopes once again surged in Olympic hockey competition. Striving to redeem their pride and prestige in the World arena, the Indians held on steadfastly to beat Spain 3-2 in a crucial Group 'B' encounter on Saturday.

This enhanced India's aspiration of making it to the semi-finals as host and overwhelming favourite Australia demolished South Korea 3-0 in another match of the same group.

The Indian goal-keeper performed creditably and came up with superb saves as the Spanish players swarmed the Indian territory for the last 10 minutes. Jude came up with splendid saves to give India the full points.

Baljit Singh Dhillon gave India an early lead by converting a penalty stroke. But, the Spaniards quickly pounced on an opportunity to equalise with 14 minutes remaining for half time.

The Indians, however, pressed hard and surged ahead with Dilip Tirkey scoring off a penalty corner in the last minute of the first session. Tirkey's first attempt was blocked by the goal-keeper, but the Indian defender was alert to latch on to the rebound and score.

The Indians surged the lead in the seventh minute with Baljit Singh Dhillon sounding the board off another penalty corner. The Spaniards, one of the most quickest teams in the World, then fought back hard.

They managed to reduce the margin of a defensive lapse with Sanchez gaining the upper hand and beating Indian goal-keeper Jude Menezes. The Spaniards then went all out and were hell bent on getting the equaliser.