Hobart, February 24 India's poor performance in the FIH Men's Pro League saw them lose 3-4 to Spain in a penalty shootout after a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time here on Tuesday.
Despite holding a 1-0 lead until the 59th minute, thanks to a brilliant goal by Maninder Singh, India conceded a late equalizer when Spain's Bruno Font scored to take the match into a penalty shootout.
Spain started strongly, controlling early possession and testing the Indian defense. They won their first penalty corner in the fourth minute, but the drag-flick was comfortably saved by Indian goalkeeper Mohith.
Spain thought they had taken the lead in the eighth minute, but Jose Basterra's goal was disallowed.
Shrugging off the pressure, India earned a penalty corner in the 14th minute, but Amit Rohidas's drag-flick was denied by Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado, keeping the first quarter scoreless.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute. Skipper Hardik Singh dispossessed a Spanish player, made a brilliant turn, and set up Maninder, who smashed a powerful shot into the net to give India a 1-0 lead.
Spain immediately responded by winning a penalty corner, but Pepe Cunill's shot was saved by Suraj Karkera.
Karkera then made another stunning save moments later to deny Basterra.
Striker Abhishek also came close after a superb dribble, but failed as India held on to their slender 1-0 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Spain pressed hard while India looked to absorb the pressure.
Spain's persistence earned them back-to-back penalty corners, both expertly saved by Mohith.
As the quarter wound down, Spain was reduced to 10 men after Fortuno received a yellow card. India nearly capitalized on the advantage in the 44th minute, but Calzado made a tight save against Jugraj Singh's penalty corner strike.
The final quarter saw India being reduced to 10 men after Sanjay received a yellow card in the 45th minute. Spain quickly won a penalty corner, but Karkera stood tall once again.
As Spain desperately pushed for an equalizer, India found spaces on the counter. Vishnukant Singh won a penalty corner in the 52nd minute, but Rohidas missed the target. Minutes later, Rajinder Singh's drag-flick also failed to find the back of the net.
With India trying to run down the clock, a costly defensive lapse in the 59th minute allowed Font to score a superb equalizer. Spain won three consecutive penalty corners in the frantic final 13 seconds, but the Indian defense held firm to end the regulation time locked at 1-1.
In the ensuing shootout, misses from Abhishek and Hardik Singh proved costly as India lost 3-4, walking away with a single point from the hard-fought encounter.
India will next take on Australia in the fourth game of the Hobart leg on Wednesday.
India had lost 0-2 to Spain in the first leg match here, before going down 4-5 in a penalty shootout against Australia following a 2-2 draw.
India are currently placed eighth in the nine-team competition with just two points from seven matches.
