India’s dismal run in the FIH Men’s Pro League saw them go down 3-4 in a shootout against Spain after a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time on Tuesday (February 25, 2026).

Despite holding a 1-0 advantage until the 59th minute, courtesy a brilliant strike from Maninder Singh, India conceded a late equaliser when Spain’s Bruno Font found the net to take the match into shootout.

Spain started strongly, controlling early possession and testing the Indian defence. They won their first penalty corner in the fourth minute, but the drag-flick was comfortably saved by Indian goalkeeper Mohith.

Spain thought they had taken the lead in the eighth minute, but Jose Basterra’s goal was disallowed.

Shrugging off the pressure, India earned a penalty corner in the 14th minute, but Amit Rohidas’s drag-flick was denied by Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado, keeping the first quarter goalless.

The breakthrough arrived in the 19th minute. Skipper Hardik Singh dispossessed a Spanish player, turned brilliantly, and set up Maninder, who smashed a tomahawk into the net to give India a 1-0 lead.

Spain immediately responded by winning a penalty corner, but Pepe Cunill’s shot was saved by Suraj Karkera.

Karkera pulled off another stunning save moments later to deny Basterra.

Striker Abhishek also came close after a superb dribble, but failed as India held on to their slender 1-0 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, Spain pressed high while India looked to absorb the pressure.

Spain’s persistence earned them back-to-back penalty corners, both expertly saved by Mohith.

As the quarter wound down, Spain was reduced to 10 men following a green card for Fortuno. India nearly capitalised on the advantage in the 44th minute, but Calzado made a tight save against Jugraj Singh’s penalty corner strike.

The final quarter saw India being reduced to 10 men after Sanjay received a green card in the 45th minute. Spain quickly won a penalty corner, but Karkera stood tall once again.

As Spain pushed desperately for an equaliser, India found spaces on the counter. Vishnukant Singh won a penalty corner in the 52nd minute, but Rohidas missed the target. Minutes later, Rajinder Singh’s drag-flick also failed to find the back of the net.

With India trying to run down the clock, a costly defensive lapse in the 59th minute allowed Font to strike a superb equaliser. Spain won three consecutive penalty corners in the frantic final 13 seconds, but the Indian defence held firm to end the regulation time locked at 1-1.

In the ensuing shootout, misses from Abhishek and Hardik Singh proved costly as India lost 3-4, walking away with a single point from the hard-fought encounter.

India will next take on Australia in the fourth game of the Hobart leg of on Wednesday.

India had lost 0-2 to Spain in the first leg match here, before going down 4-5 in shoot-out against Australia following a 2-2 draw.

India are currently placed eighth in the nine team competition with just two points from seven matches.

The Indian men’s hockey team dished out a much improved show but still went down to formidable Australia in the penalty shootout in their FIH Pro League match in Hobart on Sunday (February 22, 2026).

The two sides were tied at 2-2 after full time with Amit Rohidas (15th) and Jugraj Singh (43rd) putting India in front before a brace from Joel Rintala (47th, 56th) helped Australia get back on level terms.

In the shootout, though, Australia emerged 5-4 victorious.

This was after India lost five matches in a row in the FIH Pro League this year, including four in the home leg in Rourkela. They lost to Spain 0-2 in their first match of the Hobart leg on Saturday (February 21).

Australia had the lion’s share of possession in the opening exchanges, pushing India back in their own half. India stayed solid at the back and grew into the game to pile some pressure back on Australia, forcing Jed Snowden into action on a couple of occasions.

India were rewarded with a penalty corner late in the first quarter, and made the most of it as Rohidas scored from his drag-flick to give them a 1-0 lead.

The second quarter produced end-to-end action, with both teams creating chances. Australia had 10 circle penetrations and a couple of penalty corners in the first half as they looked for a way back into the game.

India had nine circle penetrations, causing problems for the opposition on the counter attack. The visitors stood firm at the back, ensuring they held onto their one-goal advantage at half time.

Australia continued to dominate possession after the restart. The Indian defensive line remained resolute at the back though, keeping the hosts at bay and preventing them from creating any clear cut opportunities.

India doubled their lead with Jugraj converting a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner to close out the third quarter.

The hosts managed to reduce the deficit early in the fourth quarter, with Rintala scoring from a penalty corner.

With momentum on their side, Australia earned another penalty corner as they remained persistent in their pursuit for an equaliser.

However, they were denied by Yashdeep Siwach’s crucial block on the line. With time running out, Australia eventually found the leveller from a set-piece as Rintala netted his second goal of the night from a penalty corner four minutes from the final hooter.

Australia were relentless in the search of a winning goal and had a couple of opportunities to clinch the game.

However, Mohith was exceptional in goal, pulling off some brilliant saves — including a sensational double save — to ensure India stay in the game.

With the two teams tied at 2-2 after full time, the game went into a shootout to decide the winner.

It was an intense shootout with both teams converting their first four penalties, finishing their chances expertly.

However, Aditya Arjun Lalage was denied by Snowden in the final penalty, giving Australia a hard-fought win in this enthralling match.

India will next take on Spain in their third game of the Hobart leg on Tuesday (February 24, 2026).