India begins Hockey World Cup 2023 campaign with a 2-0 win over Spain in Rourkela
India began their World Cup 2023 campaign on a high with a dominant 2-0 win over lower-ranked Spain at the spectacular Bisra Munda Stadium in Rourkela on Friday, January 13. Goals from Amit Rohidas and Hardik Singh gave India 3 points in their Pool D match in front of a packed crowd in the state-of-the-art 21,000-seater stadium.
India were clinical after a passive start in the first quarter and dominated possession, circle penetrations in a dominant display of hockey which would have made coach Graham Reid happy.
India had as many as 27 circle penetrations compared to Spain’s 25, most of which came in the fourth quarter when they were frenetically looking for an equaliser.
India are in the 2nd spot in Pool D after England went top following their 5-0 in their World Cup 2023 opener against Wales.
Local lad Amit Rohidas, who was declared the Player of the Match, sent the Rourkela crowd into a tizzy when he caught hold of a deflection from a penalty corner and smashed it into the top right corner. It was a stunning stroke that got India off the mark in the home World Cup.
Incidentally, it was also India’s 200th goal in World Cups as the hosts laid down an early marker.
India fluffed chances to go further ahead in the first quarter but a blistering run from Hardik Singh gave them a 2-0 lead in the second quarter. Hardk made a fine run down the left and cut in to the box before trying to find a blue shirt with a cross across the face of the goal. Howwever, a deflection from a Spanish defender saw the ball roll over into the goal.
India had opportunities to extend the lead in the third quarter but captain Harmanpreet Singh’s shaky show in the attacking third saw them miss out on chances.
Graham Reid would have been unhappy with India’s penalty corner conversion rate. Harmanpreet Singh, who recently scored his 100th goal, could not convert as many as 2 penalty corners. He also shot a penalty stroke straight into the Spain goalkeeper in the 3rd quarter.
SOLID DEFENSIVE DISPLAY
It was a solid defensive display as well from India as they defeated Spain for the first time since February 2022. The last time they faced Spain in November 2022 in the FIH Pro League, India blew a 2-0 lead and were held to a draw. However, the mistake was not repeated on Friday as India put on a spirited show with goalkeeper Krishan Pathak making some crucial saves.
Despite a 10-minute yellow card for Abhishek in the final quarter, India did not concede, soaking up the pressure in the final few minutes from Spain.
India will next face England in their Pool D match on Sunday in Rourkela before meeting Wales in the final pool match. The winner of each of the 4 pools directly progresses to the quarter-final while the next two in each group progress to the cross-over to determine the final 4 berths of the quarter-final stage.
