India registered their third win in the FIH Hockey Mens Pro League 2022-23, defeating Spain 3-1 in shootout after the end of regulation time, which ended in 2-2 draw at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar today. With this win, India moved up to the top of the league table with eight points from four matches.

Harmanpreet Singh scored from two penalty corners in the 11th and 31st minute to give India a comfortable lead just after half-time. But Spain roared back with a goal each in the third and final quarter to make it 2-2.

Marc Miralles converted a penalty corner in the 42nd minute to score the first goal of Spain. Pere Amat leveled the score with a field goal in the 54th minute.

In the penalty shootout, Indians kept their nerves to triumph 3-1 as Spaniards faltered. Abhishek, Raj Kumar Paul and Harmanpreet Singh scored for India, while Gerard Clapes sounded the board for Spain. India goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak was named as the Player of the Match.

India, who beat New Zealand trice and went down to Spain in their previous fixtures here, thus finished the first phase on top with eight points, thanks to a better goal difference than Spain.

India will play their next set of matches after the World Cup, to be held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela in January.
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PHOTO: File photo of India goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak in action during FIH Hockey Pro League match in Bhubaneswar.