Hockey World Cup 2023: India defeated Spain 2-0 to earn three points in Rourkela.

Hockey match between India and Spain:

India defeated Spain 2-0 on Friday in Rourkela, Odisha, to kick off their Hockey World Cup campaign. Goals from Amit Rohidas (12′) and Hardik Singh (26′) made it possible. The Indian team will now look for their first podium finish in 48 years in the World Cup after winning a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics in 2022. India took home a bronze medal at the tournament’s debut in 1971 and a silver medal at the subsequent competition in 1973.

The Indian team, which is now rated sixth in the world, would be a medal contender with the strong group under the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh developing as a force to be reckoned with. 

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India lost to the eventual runners-up, the Netherlands, in the quarterfinals of the previous edition, which was also hosted in Bhubaneswar, and they would like to go at least to the semifinals this time. In the FIH Hockey Pro League, India has also performed well, placing third in the 2021–22 campaign. The team has regained its self-assurance and winning attitude.

Spain loses against India 2-0. 

With a 2-0 victory over Spain, India begins their World Cup campaign. Therefore, the men in blue have secured three points. They have shown excellent defensive abilities throughout their 10-minute 10-man game. India might have easily scored two more goals, therefore the final score of 2-0 does not reflect how well they played.