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Women's Hockey World Cup 2022: India knocked out after loss to Spain, to meet Canada in classification tie

The win earned Spain a place in the quarterfinals, while India will now meet Canada for the 9th-16th place classification match.

Indian womens hockey team

Bengaluru, July 11: India are out of medal reckoning in the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2022 after a heart-breaking 0-1 loss to hosts Spain at Terrassa.

It was literally a heartbreak for India as Spain scored with just over three minutes left for the hooter in crossover match, with Marta Segu netting the all-important winner for the hosts.

The win earned Spain a place in the quarterfinals, while India will now meet Canada for the 9th-16th place classification match.

Women's Hockey WC: Indian eves go down 3-4 against New Zealand; stay in quarter-final contentionWomen's Hockey WC: Indian eves go down 3-4 against New Zealand; stay in quarter-final contention

Indian women, led admirably by skipper and goalkeeper Savita Punia had kept Spain at bay till the fourth quarter when the home side scored off the rebound to end visistors' medal hopes in the tournament.

Clara Ycart attaced on the right flank and Segu volleyed the ball into the goal, much to the dismay of the Indian camp.

Though the visitors did ask for a referral, since there was no obstruction, the goal stood as Indian women were left crestfallen at the end of a closely-fought contest.

Savita

The Indian women's hockey team had played out two thrilling draws -- against England (1-1) and China (1-1) respectively -- before suffering a 3-4 loss against New Zealand in the pool stage of the tournament.

They had finished third in Pool B, forcing the crossover tie with the home side, who registered two wins and a loss in Pool C.

Spain had started their campaign with a resounding 4-1 win against Canada, but lost 1-4 to favourites Argentina in their second match. However, they bounced back with a 4-1 victory over Korea to finish second in Pool C to set-up the crossover tie with Pool B third-placers India.

The last time India and Spain faced each other was during the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-22 where both teams shared the honours.

India won the first match 2-1, while Spain responded with a 4-3 win in the second leg of the double-header held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha earlier this year.

But in the do-or-die battle at Terrassa on Sunday (July 10), it was Spain who had the last laugh as it was curtains for India's medal hopes.

FIH Women's Hockey World Cup: Ready for the challenge: Savita ahead of India's match against EnglandFIH Women's Hockey World Cup: Ready for the challenge: Savita ahead of India's match against England

On the eve of the crunch match against Spain, skipper Savita had said, "We knew the pool matches were going to be really tough. We fought hard and never gave up, but it's just that the results haven't been in our favour. However, we should quickly put it behind us, and focus on what's next. We're still in contention and will give our everything to qualify for the quarterfinals."

India's vice-captain Deep Grace Ekka too had stressed on the need to make further improvements.

"I think we could have played a lot better in the three matches we played. We created many chances in the pool stage, especially in the last game, but our (penalty corner) conversion was not up to the mark. So, we certainly have to improve on our conversion, we;ve to be more clinical. At the end, it's all about converting those opportunities," she stated.

But it just was not their day as they could not covert the opportunities which cost them dear.

Story first published: Monday, July 11, 2022, 9:48 [IST]
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