Spain Hands Indian Hockey Team A Reality Check Ahead of Rio 2016
Stunned 2-3 by lower-ranked Spain, India was handed a reality check just before the Rio games.
The Indian men’s hockey team received a reality check just before the start of Rio Olympics after they were stunned 2-3 by lower-ranked Spain in the second practice game in their Madrid tour. World number 5 India lost the two-match series 0-2. They lost the opening match against World No 11 Spain 1-4.
For eight-time Olympic champions, the defeat was opportune: when India is giving final touches to their preparation before flying directly to Rio from here in search of an Olympic medal that has eluded the country for 36 years.
Manpreet Singh (38th minute) and Ramandeep (57th) scored for India, while Josep Romeu (20) gave Spain an early lead before Pau Quemada (42nd) and Salvador Piera (53) sealed the win for the hosts late on Thursday night.
(With inputs from PTI)
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