Men's FIH Pro League: 3 Things That Helped India Thrash Spain 4-1

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The Indian men's hockey team started off their FIH Pro League campaign on a positive note following a comprehensive 4-1 win over Spain on Saturday (February 10) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace to lead the charge while Jugraj Singh and Lalit Upadhyay netted one apiece in the second half to extend the lead. The visitor's lone goal came from midfielder Marc Miralles in the third quarter.

Considering this tournament will be a significance to India's build up to Paris Olympics medal quest, each and every game from here will give the men in blue a clarity on where they stand ahead of their contenders.

Let's take a note of the details that played as importance in India's first win of the year.

1) Harmanpreet steps up

India were relentless in their attack throughout the 60-minute period and captain Harmanpreet Singh was the lynchpin of it. One of the consistent names on scoresheets from India, the 28-year-old drag-flicker did not disappoint in the Pro League opener.

He found the back of the board in the seventh minute, converting a penalty corner. The shot was sent low and vigourous and traveled between the legs of Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado. This was the 150th goal from penalty corner for the Punjab boy. Harmanpreet later scored one from penalty stroke to double India's lead.

2) Solid defense

If India's attack was relentless then defense was top-grade. Harmanpreet was surrounded by his predecessor Manpreet and Jugraj Singh. Even when Spain opened opportunities to reach towards goal post, the rock-hard Indian defense defied their mission.

At points when the defense was beaten, the two goalkeepers, PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak covered up for their side. The fact that Spain scored their only goal from penalty stroke is enough to say how Indian defenders tasked out against the World No.8 side.

3) Drag flickers make the most

Harmanpreet Singh is India's designated dragflicker when the question comes to who takes the penalty corner. But on the fancy night, the Indian captain's goal seemed pale if allowed to compare with the one flicked hy Jugraj Singh. A ferocious flick from the 27-year-old Services player went between the legs of Calzado, leaving him and his teammates bemused.