Murcia (Spain): The Indian women’s hockey team put up a spirited fight before losing 2-3 to Spain in their opening match against hosts Spain here.
Udita (12th minute) and Gurjit Kaur (48th) scored for India, while Maria Tost (23rd), Lola Reira (39th) and Begona Garcia (40th) sounded the board for Spain in a match played late Saturday evening.
Even though India played aggressive hockey from the start, the failure to capitalise on the chances cost them the game. The Indian eves earned their first penalty corner in the eighth minute but failed to convert.
However four minutes later, Vandana found Udita with the perfect through ball and the later scored to put India ahead.
Spanish eves however, picked up their game in the second quarter and Trost scored the equaliser. In the third quarter due to some defensive lapses on the part of the Indians, the Spaniards struck twice within a minute through Reira and Garcia to make it 3-1.
Drag-flicker Gurjit reduced the margin for India, but the visitors, in spite of repeated attempts failed to restore parity.
PTI
