India Vs Spain Highlights, FIH Hockey Pro League 2025-26: IND Fall To ESP 2–0 In Hobart

Hello, we’re back with another live blog, and today it’s India vs Spain, FIH Hockey Pro League 2025–26. India are fighting for redemption after a tough home leg.

Fans in India can catch the Hobart leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League live on the Star Sports Network, with streaming also available on JioHotstar for those who prefer to watch online.

India head to Hobart aiming to bounce back after a disappointing Rourkela leg in the 2025–26 FIH Men’s Pro League, where they lost all four matches. With captain Harmanpreet Singh unavailable for personal reasons, Hardik Singh takes over the leadership role, bringing a positive, aggressive mindset.

The squad blends youth and experience, retaining newcomers Amandeep Lakra and Manmeet Singh while recalling Maninder Singh and Angad Bir Singh. India and Spain have been evenly matched in recent encounters, each claiming four wins in their last 10 games, with India taking both draws via shootouts, setting up a competitive clash in Hobart.

The coach is all about tightening things up today. “We need to transition better than we did in the last four games. Defence is key. We’ll get a few chances, so we just need to take them,” he says. Looks like India are going in focused and ready to turn possession into goals.

The national anthems are underway, starting with Spain and now India. Athletes are lined up on the pitch, focused and ready to kick off what promises to be an exciting clash.

India start bright, pressing forward immediately, but lose possession just a second later. Not the ideal start for a side eager to leave their recent struggles behind.

Goal for Spain! Another rough start for India. From deep in their half, Lacalle’s sweep deflects at the circle’s edge, and Ignacio Abajo sneaks past Karkera to slot it into the net. Spain strike early.

Spain thought they had doubled their lead, but the TV umpire stepped in to overturn the goal. It came after a sloppy spell from India in the circle, Jugraj had the ball, tried to dribble out from defence, but Reyne tackled and passed to Guillermo Fortuno, who slotted it in.

The goal was wiped out as Jugraj was judged to have been illegally challenged. India breathe a sigh of relief.

Spain lead 1-0 at the first break. India have struggled with possession and decision-making, but there were some bright moments after Abajo’s opener, which came from a defensive lapse.

Spain thought they had a second, but the TV umpire overturned it for a foul on Jugraj. Abhishek has been lively in the circle, and India will need more of that as they try to tighten up in their own half moving forward.

India haven’t improved much as the second quarter begins, still giving the ball away in dangerous areas and struggling to create meaningful chances in both attacking and defensive zones.

Cunill’s drag flick comes straight at Mohith, who makes the save, but it earns Spain another penalty corner. This time, India’s defence stands tall, and the backline congratulates Mohith for keeping them in the game.

Spain head into the break with a 1-0 lead. India tightened their defence in the latter part of the first half, managing to keep Spain from extending the lead, but their forward play has been toothless, struggling to create clear chances. The second half will be crucial, can India find the spark upfront and get back into this game?

A costly giveaway from Vivek inside the 25-yard area sets up a golden chance for Reyne, but Karkera reads it perfectly, rushing out to block the shot and keep India in the game.

Goal for Spain! Cabre drives down the right flank and cuts the ball back to Ignacio Cobos at the circle’s edge. He fires a low, powerful shot that sneaks in off Karkera’s pads. India are caught open at the back, no real fault on the goalkeeper this time.

India get a promising chance, but Hardik’s pass doesn’t pay off. He drives into the circle with space to shoot but opts to feed Shilanand instead, only for the Spanish defence to cut it out.

What a save from Calzado! Amandeep Lakra fires a powerful shot, but the Spanish keeper stretches to his left and denies it. Lalage goes in for the rebound but fouls the defender. Spain are back to full strength as Menini serves his green card suspension.

A slip from Jugraj allows Spain to break at speed, but Mohith reads Cabre’s through-ball to Fortuno perfectly, rushing off his line to clear the danger with a timely kick.

Jugraj attempts a pass to Amandeep just five yards away, but it ends up ten yards ahead, another costly error in a second half that has seen India struggle with simple passes and possession.

That’s a wrap! We’ll be back with more live coverage soon. Until then, goodbye.