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The Indian women’s hockey team rode on a Navneet Kaur brace to hold hosts Spain to a 2-2 draw in its second match of the three-nation Torneo del Centenario 2023 in Terrassa, Barcelona on Thursday.
Spain took the lead twice in the match through Xantal Gine (13′) and Vidosa Laia (26′) but Navneet Kaur (14’ and 28’) drew India level on both occasions.
This was the Indian women’s team’s second successive draw at the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation International Tournament 2023, having held world No. 4 England to a 1-1 stalemate on Wednesday.
As things stand, India are second in the standings with two points from as many matches. England are top with four while Spain are third with a solitary point. The team with the most points after playing each other twice wins the tournament.
The Indian hockey team, world No. 8 in the latest FIH women’s hockey rankings, started the match on the backfoot with Spain using their home advantage to the fullest to keep the Indian defence under pressure.
A long pass from a Spanish player allowed Marta Segu to penetrate inside the circle and go one-on-one against Savita. But, the Indian goalkeeper stood tall to avert the danger. Late in the first quarter, Spain launched a counter-attack and Xantal Gine converted the chance to give hosts the lead.
However, Navneet Kaur managed to latch onto a long pass inside the circle and equalised straightaway for India.
With the scores level, both teams began jousting to gain the upper hand. Deepika broke through Spain’s defence and managed to get a shot away. The ball, though, flew over the net.
With just a few minutes left in the quarter, Spain made the most of a penalty corner as Laia Vidosa bundled the ball in following a save from the Indian goalkeeper Savita.
But Navneet Kaur, once again, equalised almost instantly. She dribbled past the Spanish defence to score and ensured India went into half-time level at 2-2.
India went on the attack right from the word go in the second half but Spain goalkeeper Clara Perez and her defence stood firm to deny India a lead.
With Neha Goyal dominating midfield, India maintained possession and kept pushing inside Spain’s half but Perez kept stopping the shots on target and managed to hold off India.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, India upped the ante. Sangita Kumari received a pass inside the circle but the Spain goalkeeper managed to stop her in her tracks. Late in the final quarter, Spain earned a penalty corner, putting pressure on the Indian defence. But the Indian goalkeeper managed to deflect the ball away and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
The Indian women’s hockey team will play England next in the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation International Tournament on Saturday.
