Madrid: Skipper Rani Rampal scored a late winner as Indian women’s hockey team dished out a spirited performance to register their first win on the tour to defeat Spain 3-2 in the third game of the five-match series here at the Consejo Superior de Deportes Hockey Stadium, Friday.
With this win India level the series 1-1. India had lost their opening game 0-3 while the second game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Spain opened the scoring early in the third minute when Maria Lopez sounded the net from a penalty corner. With an early lead the hosts continued to test the Indian defence and goalkeeper Savita was soon called into action making some fine reflex saves to deny Spain.
The Indians started slowly to get into the game in the second quarter as both teams battled for possession. The visitors who are currently ranked 10th in the world made some good forays in the closing stages of the quarter, forcing Spanish goalkeeper Melanie Garcia to make a fine save in the 25th minute.
However, India leveled the score in the 28th minute when Gurjit Kaur converted from a penalty corner to go into the half-way break with scores tied 1-1.
India came back strongly in the second half and immediately took the lead two minutes into the third quarter with a constructed field goal through young striker Lalremsiami.
The Spanish eves put started to put constant pressure on the Indian defence and even earned two back-to-back penalty corners in the 58th minute. Savita saved the first one but failed to continue her consistency as Lola Riera kept her cool to score from the second to make the score 2-2.
But just when it looked the two teams are set to share the spoils, India captain Rani scored a wonderful field goal just a minute from the final hooter to hand the visitors a well deserved win.
200 caps for Vandana
Madrid: Forward Vandana Katariya became the second Indian women after Rani Rampal to achieve 200 international caps for the country when she took the field against Spain in the third match here, Friday. The 26-year-old forward has been an essential part of the Indian team since making her debut in 2009 with the senior squad aged just 17. “It is an honour for me to have been able to represent the country and earn 200 international caps. In these eight years, I have learnt a lot and wish to do the same as long as I play for the country,” Vandana said before the match.