Spanish striker Eduard Tubau wreaked havoc with a hat-trick as India conceded two late goals to lose 3-5 to Spain in their second match of the four-nation invitational hockey tournament in Monchengladbach, Germany.
India displayed a superb fightback in the second half to level the score 3-3 after trailing 2-0 at the break. But the defensive lapses cost them the match as the European champions pumped in two goals in the last seven minutes.
This was India's second defeat in as many matches as they had lost to Germany in the opening match and is yet to open their account in the tournament.
After Paolo Amat (9th, 21st) took Spain to a healthy 2-0 lead, Eduard Tubau (37th, 63rd, 69th) netted a trio to spell their dominance over India.
For India, Tushar Khandekar (44th), Gagan Ajit Singh (55th), Sandeep Singh scored the goals.
The Tubau-Amat duo troubled the Indians from the very start with several relentless forays. Amat scored the first goal within 10 minutes after getting a good pass from Tubau.
Later, Spain got a penalty corner and Amat was again in action slamming the second goal for the Europeans.
In the second half, it was the turn of Amat to do the passing as he provided a good ball to Tubau and the latter made it 3-0 within a couple of minutes after the breather.
The Indians reduced the margin in the 44th minute through Tushar Khandekar, who shot home after a splendid solo.
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However, Spain had the last laugh as Tubau netted two more goals to clinch victory for his team and keep them in title contention.
In another match played yesterday, hosts Germany beat Argentina 3-0.
With the championship being decided on points basis, India is out of reckoning for the title as they have lost two of their three matches.
India will play Argentina today in their last outing.
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