ANTWERP: The Indian men’s hockey team finished fourth in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2022-23 which ended here on Wednesday night with Spain overcoming a young side put up by World Champions Germany in the final league encounter.
Spain, who had beaten Germany in their earlier encounter, finished fifth with 27 points in 16 matches, three behind India, who had ended their camp a few weeks back at Eindhoven.
On Wednesday, Spain had to come from behind three times to finally get the better of an ambitious young German side 4-3 as the curtain came down on the 9-team FIH Hockey Pro League season.
Just like their match three days ago, it was once again a very young German side that took to the pitch to take on the Spanish, a total of just 28 caps between them. Within the first minute, however, Germany earned a penalty corner and Paul Glander drilled it past the keeper’s left for his first senior international goal.
Midway through the opening quarter, the players were forced to take cover from a passing thunderstorm but were soon back in action. Spain found the equaliser in the second period. Germany were back ahead soon but Spain scored thrice to eventually win the match.
It was a season of two halves for India, who led the league till a few weeks ago before eventual champions the Netherlands and Great Britain surged past them to take the first two spots. India ended their campaign on June 11 with a 2-1 win against Argentina in their 16th and last match of the 2022-23 season for men played in mini-clusters involving three or four teams.
The Netherlands (35 points from 16 matches) saw off challengers Great Britain (32 points) to successfully defend their crown. Belgium, with 30 points, finished above India in the table courtesy of having more wins to their name (10 vs India’s eight). Agencies
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