India's World Cup dream ends after loss to Spain

TERASSA (Spain): The Indian women's hockey team was eliminated from the FIH World Cup title race after losing 0-1 to co-hosts Spain in a hard-fought crossover match here on Monday.

After a fiercely-contested three quarters, the Indian defence let in a goal just three minutes from the final hooter when Marta Segu scored from a rebound to exit from the knock-out rounds.

As has been the case so far in the tournament, India fared poorly once again in converting penalty corners. They earned four in the game against Spain's three but all the chances went in vain. India's first penalty corner came in the eighth minute but the Spanish defence was up to the task to deny any inroads.

In the first quarter both the teams were a little hesitant in their play, committing some unforced errors which resulted in very few scoring chances.

After that it was all about Spain as they explored ways to get past the India back line.

India captain Savita, in front of the goal, showed why she has such high reputation as she pulled off saves time and again to keep the deadlock intact. Spain continued attack in the second quarter and in a moment of goalkeeping brilliance, Savita made three consecutive saves, first from a Xantal Gine's penalty corner strike, then a rebound from the same player and finally a rebound from Begona Garcia to keep her side afloat.

Seconds later, India secured their second PC but first Spain goalie Melanie Garcia saved Monika's shot and then Lucia Jimenez showed immense composure to keep out the rebound.

India soon created a great opportunity to take the lead when Salima Tete set it up for Vandana Kataraiya with a brilliant run along the baseline but the latter dinked over the cross bar while trying to chip it over Garcia's reach as both the teams failed to break the stalemate at half time.