The Indian hockey team finished sixth at the FIH World league after losing a tense play-off match on penalties to higher-ranked Spain, here on Sunday.
Mandeep Singh and Akashdeep Singh were guilty of missing penalty shots in the shootout as India lost 2-4 after the two teams ended 2-2 in the regulation time. Roc Oliva netted the crucial final penalty after Quico Cortes brilliantly thwarted Mandeep’s effort before Akashdeep mishit his charge. Those two misses combined to allow Spain take full advantage and win the shootout.
The Spaniards hit the front in the second minute when Oliva got on the end of Alex Casasayas simple pass for a tap-in as a flowing move eliminated the Indian defence one by one. But the game was turned on its head when India netted twice within a minute. First, V R Raghunath whipped in a pass to the right post where Shivendra Singh got a great touch to ramp the ball into the goal.