The Indian junior men’s hockey team ended its pool stage campaign at the Four Nations Tournament in Berlin on a disappointing note, suffering a heavy 1-5 defeat against a dominant Spain side on Tuesday.
Spain wasted no time asserting control, striking twice within the first three minutes of the match. Pere Amat opened the scoring in the second minute, converting a penalty corner with precision. Just a minute later, Santi Martin added a field goal to give Spain a quick 2-0 advantage, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
India responded with greater intensity in the second quarter, engaging in fast-paced, end-to-end hockey. Despite mounting pressure and creating several chances, the Indian side failed to find the back of the net. Spain, too, missed opportunities to add to their lead, and the halftime score stood at 2-0 in favour of the Spaniards.
The third quarter proved decisive, as India’s defence faltered under sustained pressure. Amat, continuing his fine form, struck again in the 42nd minute with another successful penalty corner. Just moments later, Josep Martin netted a well-timed field goal in the 43rd minute, taking Spain’s lead to a commanding 4-0.
In the final quarter, Spain maintained their dominance. Mario Mena added a fifth goal for the Spanish side in the 51st minute, once again converting a penalty corner. India finally responded a minute later, with Araijeet Singh Hundal scoring a field goal in the 52nd minute to register a consolation.
India, having faced Germany and Australia in their earlier group matches, concluded their pool stage campaign with the loss to Spain. The result underlines the need for sharper execution and tighter defence as the young Indian side looks ahead to future international tournaments.
Despite flashes of promise and resilience, the Indian team struggled to match Spain’s pace and precision, particularly in the critical moments. The defeat serves as a learning curve for the squad, offering valuable insights ahead of the knockout stages and upcoming junior competitions.
