With a win and a loss under their belt, the Indian men would be hoping for a better outing when they take on World Champion Germany in back-to-back games at the Kalinga Stadium here over the next two days. The Indian women, meanwhile, would be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing loss to England when they face on Spain in their next two outings.
Starting with a loss to Spain before regrouping to win 2-0 on Sunday, the Indian men will be looking to earn maximum points in their remaining games to keep the momentum. The forwards were effective in India’s victory but penalty corners (PC) continue to remain an area of concern.
India is yet to convert any of the PCs earned so far. Both Harmanpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh were unable to find a way past the Spanish defence as India hopes to go better than its disappointing seventh-place finish last season. It won’t be any easier against the Germans, who played a two-match series against India in New Delhi in October with the honours split even. However, the side has struggled in the Pro League with just one win in four games.
India celebrates after scoring the second goal against England.
| Photo Credit:
BISWARANJAN ROUT/The Hindu
India celebrates after scoring the second goal against England.
| Photo Credit:
BISWARANJAN ROUT/The Hindu
The Indian women, who barely managed to retain their spot in the Pro League last year, will also be hoping to recover from the heartbreaking loss in sudden death in their last game. The team’s big takeaway from the two matches so far has been its ability to switch gears when under pressure and not get defensive regardless of the situation of the match.
PCs have also been a positive sign with the team scoring both directly and indirectly during set-pieces. India beat Spain 3-0 when the teams last faced off in an invitational tournament in 2023 and had won 1-0 in the 2022 Nations Cup final to book a Pro League spot.
Spain, on the other hand, will be high on confidence after its first two wins against higher-ranked Germany. The team, that earned its place in the Pro League by virtue of winning the Nations Cup last year, has impressed with its ability to sneak through opposition defence and will be hoping to continue the momentum.
