But despite the results, Harmanpreet Singh, who led the Indian team in the tournament, insisted that there are still certain areas where the team can improve as they prepare for the upcoming FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar-Rourkela 2023, beginning from January 13.
Spain Captain Marc Miralles (43') and Pere Amat (55') scored the two goals for Spain in the regulation time as they pushed the match to a Shoot-Out, where India sailed past their opponents with goalkeeper Krishan Pathak stealing the show.
After a sensational 7-4 win against New Zealand on Friday, Indian Men's Hockey Team look to finish the double-header against Spain in style when they take on Marc Miralles-Captained side on Sunday in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2022-2023 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
The two FIH Hockey World Cups will be held simultaneously in July or August 2026 in Amsterdam/Amstelveen in the Netherlands and Wavre in Belgium. Both the women's and men's teams will play at both venues.
Amit, who hails from Odisha itself, says that playing the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela on home turf is an emotional affair, and added that the fanfare and love the Indian Men's Hockey Team receives is unparalleled
Mink represented his country at the 2014 Men's World Cup in Hague, The Netherlands, where his side finished in second place, losing the Final to Australia.
The Indian Men's Hockey Team started their campaign at the FIH Men's Hockey Pro League 2022/23 with mixed results, as they picked up a thrilling 4-3 win over New Zealand in their first game, and then went down 2-3 against Spain on Sunday at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar
Spain took a 2-0 lead with Eduard de Ignacio-Simo (16') and Marc Miralles (26'), but India equalised through captain Harmanpreet Singh (26') and Abhishek (54'). For the visitors, Marc Reyne (56') scored a late winner.