Asianet NewsableAsianet Newsable

Tokyo Olympics 2020: India thrash Spain 3-0 in men's hockey

Rupinder Pal Singh scored twice as India won its third match of Pool A of men's hockey at Tokyo 2020 against Spain.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 India thrash Spain 3-0 in men's hockey-VPN
Author
Oi Hockey Stadium South Pitch (Tokyo 2020), First Published Jul 27, 2021, 8:11 AM IST

India has won its third match of Pool A of men's hockey at Tokyo 2020 against Spain. India won the match 3-0.

The first half of the game at the Oi Hockey Arena was entirely in India's control. Although the Indian team did not score a goal in the second quarter after scoring twice in the last two minutes of the first quarter, they did not allow the Spanish attack to capitalise.

Simranjeet Singh scored a field goal in the 14th minute for India, which is also his first career goal in Olympics. This is also Simranjeet's first Olympic match. 

In the 15th minute, drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh converted a penalty stroke after missing two consecutive penalty corners.

Dramatic moments were witnessed in the third quarter of the match. Spain tried for a goal in the last 10 seconds of the last minute. The ball also went into the goal, but the hooter of the end of the quarter was played, and the goal was rejected. On this, the Spanish team demanded a penalty corner due to the ball hitting the Indian defender Surendra's foot before the hooter was played. The referee awarded a penalty corner on the basis of a TV referral, which Spain missed. 

India extended its lead in the fourth corner. Drag-flicker Rupinderpal Singh converted a penalty corner in the 51st minute of the match to take the score to 3-0.

Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh once again proved why he is regarded as one of the best in the world. His dogged defence of the goal line was once again a standout.

The match win was special, especially for two Indian team players Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas. While the match against Spain was Lakra's 100th international appearance for India, for Lakra, it was his 200th match.

Follow Us:
Download App:
  • android
  • ios