India’s valiant effort ended in heartbreak as the men in blue lost 3-4 in a shootout to Spain men’s national field hockey team after a gripping 1-1 draw in regulation time at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre during the Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26.
For much of the contest, India appeared on course for a memorable win. A stunning tomahawk strike from Maninder Singh in the 19th minute had given them a 1-0 advantage, one they protected stubbornly until the dying moments of the match. But a late equaliser from Spain’s Bruno Font in the 59th minute forced the contest into a shootout.
Spain dictated early proceedings, dominating possession and earning a penalty corner in the fourth minute. However, Indian goalkeeper Mohith produced a comfortable save. The Europeans briefly celebrated in the eighth minute when Jose Basterra found the net, but the goal was ruled out.
India weathered the pressure and struck decisively. Captain Hardik Singh initiated the breakthrough, dispossessing a Spanish player before setting up Maninder, who unleashed a powerful tomahawk into the goal. Spain responded immediately with a penalty corner, but Suraj Karkera denied Pepe Cunill.
The third quarter saw relentless Spanish pressure. Back-to-back penalty corners were expertly saved by Mohith, while Spain’s Fortuno received a green card, temporarily reducing his side to 10 men. India nearly doubled the lead, but Luis Calzado thwarted Jugraj Singh’s penalty corner attempt.
Momentum shifted again in the final quarter when India’s Sanjay was shown a green card. Spain pressed hard, and despite multiple penalty corners and desperate defending, the equaliser eventually came. A lapse at the back allowed Bruno Font to fire home in the 59th minute. Spain earned three consecutive penalty corners in the closing 13 seconds, but India held firm to push the match into a shootout.
In the decisive moments, missed attempts from Abhishek and Hardik Singh proved costly as Spain edged the shootout 4-3. India, however, secured a single point from a fiercely contested encounter.
The focus now shifts quickly, with India set to face Australia in their next Hobart fixture on Wednesday.
