India went down fighting 3-4 in a shootout against Spain after a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time during the Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26.
India had held a 1-0 lead for most of the contest thanks to a stunning strike from Maninder Singh, but a late equaliser from Bruno Font forced the match into a shootout, where missed attempts proved costly for the visitors.
Spain started on the front foot, controlling possession and putting the Indian defence under pressure. They earned the first penalty corner in the fourth minute, but Indian goalkeeper Mohith comfortably saved the drag-flick. Spain thought they had taken the lead in the eighth minute, but Jose Basterra’s goal was disallowed.
India grew into the game and won a penalty corner in the 14th minute, but Amit Rohidas’s drag-flick was denied by Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado as the first quarter ended goalless.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when skipper Hardik Singh dispossessed a Spanish player and set up Maninder, who smashed a powerful tomahawk shot into the net to give India a 1-0 lead. Spain responded immediately with a penalty corner, but Suraj Karkera made a fine save to keep India ahead.
Karkera produced another brilliant save to deny Basterra soon after, while Abhishek went close for India following a superb dribble. India maintained their slender lead at halftime.
Spain pressed hard in the third quarter, earning back-to-back penalty corners, both of which were expertly dealt with by Mohith. Spain were reduced to 10 men late in the quarter after Fortuno received a green card.
India nearly doubled their lead in the 44th minute, but Calzado produced a sharp save to deny Jugraj Singh’s penalty corner effort.
The final quarter saw India reduced to 10 men after Sanjay was shown a green card in the 45th minute. Spain earned another penalty corner, but Karkera stood tall again. India found opportunities on the counter, but Rohidas and Rajinder Singh failed to convert their chances.
With India attempting to run down the clock, a costly defensive lapse in the 59th minute allowed Bruno Font to fire home a superb equaliser. Spain won three penalty corners in the frantic final seconds, but the Indian defence held firm to send the match into a shootout.
In the shootout, misses from Abhishek and Hardik Singh proved decisive as Spain edged India 4-3, leaving the visitors with a single point from the hard-fought encounter.
India will next face Australia in the fourth match of the Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26 on Wednesday.