India beat Spain 2-0 to level hockey series

Sant Cugat del Valles (Spain), Aug 12

Forwards Ramandeep Singh and Akashdeep Singh found the target as India defeated Spain 2-0 in the second game of their three-match hockey series here on Wednesday.

Ramandeep gave India the lead with a field goal in the 17th minute while Akashdeep (33rd) doubled the advantage just after half-time. The visitors, who lost the first game 1-4 on Tuesday, thus levelled the series.

The Indians will need to thank their goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, who was superb under the bar.

Both teams started on an aggressive note, with the Indians enjoying the better of the exchanges in the first quarter.

The second quarter also saw fast end-to-end action. After several chances went abegging at both ends, Ramandeep put India ahead with a fine effort.

The Indians continued to dominate in the third quarter and soon got their their second goal when Akashdeep picked up a beautiful pass from Ramandeep before beating the Spanish custodian.

The hosts continued to play an attacking game and got a chance to reduce the margin towards the end when they won a penalty corner. But Sreejesh pulled off a nice save.

The third match of the series will be played on Thursday.  (IANS)