India lost the first hockey Test against Spain because of some "silly mistakes", said captain Dilip Tirkey after the match.
"After the Pakistan series, this was the first Test for us. There are some weak areas, which we need to look into. Today, we lost due to our own silly mistakes," Tirkey told reporters after India wasted a two-goal advantage and went down to Spain 2-3.
"We failed to settle down, especially in the second half. Their attacks were good. We also missed short corners in the second half, which cost us dearly."
Admitting that the team's finishing was poor, Tirkey said the "boys need to improve as they build up some good attacks but fail to convert them into goals".
He, however, promised an improved performance in the second and final Test, to be held at the same venue on Tuesday.
"This was a good match for us ahead of the next month's Champions Trophy. We hope to do better in the second and final Test against Spain."
Tirkey said conceding last minute goals like the one scored by Spain today, in the 68th minute, is a "worrying factor" although the team's clearance and tackling has improved after the camp, which the players are attending in Chandigarh for the past month.
India's coach Gerhard Rach said, "We were little stupid as we had our chances but somehow the boys failed to convert them."
Spanish captain Juan Escarre said the win over India will give a boost to his team's confidence ahead of the Champions Trophy, starting in Lahore on December 4.
"We are satisfied with our win. We are preparing for the Champions Trophy and this match will give us confidence," he said.
"The conditions in India and Pakistan are similar. The two matches will give us good practice. We came to this match with just two days' practice, but I am happy that we did well."
Escarre said Spain, who are the Athens Olympics semifinalists had come under pressure when the hosts scored two early goals, but they lifted their game and finally emerged winners.
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