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The Indian men's hockey team returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Spain in the fourth match of their ongoing tour of Europe, in Sant Cugat del Valles (Spain), on Wednesday.
After emerging victorious over France in the two matches of the first leg of their tour, the team started the second leg with a disappointing 1-4 defeat to Spain on Monday.
However, the Sardar Singh-led side bounced back strongly in the second outing to level the series against Spain 1-1 with field goals from Ramandeep Singh (17th minute) and Akashdeep Singh (33rd).
Stunned by the big defeat in the opener against Spain, the Indians started aggressively on Wednesday. S V Sunil and Akashdeep exchanged some good passes to set up India's first scoring chance but were denied by a brilliant save by the Spanish goalkeeper.
Spain also made some good forays inside the Indian circle but visiting team custodian P R Sreejesh was up to the mark as both teams failed to break the deadlock in the first quarter.
India took the lead in the 17th minute through a field goal from Ramandeep Singh.
Thereafter, both the teams mounted attacks on each other's citadel but failed to find the back of the net.
After the change of ends, India started from where they left and controlled the proceedings. Their positive play bore fruit three minutes into the third quarter when Akashdeep slammed the ball into the Spanish goal after receiving a beautiful pass from Ramandeep.
Spain got a chance to pull one back in the final quarter when they earned a penalty-corner but Sreejesh came to the side's rescue with another fine save.
India plays Spain again on Thursday in their last match of the Europe tour.
Image: Ramandeep Singh
Photograph: Hockey India