Hockey: India beat Spain 4-2 to win Test series in Europe

Terrassa (Spain), Aug 13: Indian hockey team ended their European tour on a high as they comfortably beat Spain 4-2 in the final encounter to win the three-Test series by 2-1 margin, here today.

Forward Ramandeep Singh turned out to be the hero with double strikes within a minute's gap (50th and 51st min) to clinch the match for Sardar Singh's boys.

Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh (24th min) and Akashdeep Singh (45th minute) were the other scorers for the Indian team. For Spain, Ricardo Santana (25th min) and Xavier Lleonart (49th min) were the scorers.

The first quarter started on a brisk note as both the teams competed to dominate in the early stages of the game. After a barrage of attacks in the opening minutes, Spain managed to earn a penalty corner but an alert PR Sreejesh averted the danger.

After an intense tussle, the first quarter ended goalless. In the 24th minute of second quarter, drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh successfullyconverted a penalty corner.

The Spanish team struck back in the next minute as Ricardo Santana dribbled past the India defenders and scored the equaliser for his team.

The second quarter finished at 1-1. In the third quarter, Sreejesh again saved India from conceding the lead with a brilliant save off a penalty corner. In the last few minutes, India earned a penalty corner but this time Rupinder Pal's flick went wide of the post.

In the 45th minute (3rd quarter), Akashdeep Singh sneaked into the Spanish circle and managed to dribble-past defenders before slotting the ball home. Spanish equaliser happened in the 49th minute with a field goal scored by Xavier Lleonart.

After conceding the goal, India counter-attacked the very next minute and looked for more opportunities.

Banking on the long passes from teammates, Ramandeep managed to sneak into the Spanish defence in the 50th minute and scored the third goal for his team. Moments later, he kept his cool to score another goal, which gave India a 4-2 lead.

PTI