Preview: India look to maintain momentum Vs Spain in the FIH Women's Pro League

There will be two matches between the teams during the upcoming weekend.

The Indian women’s hockey team will be in action once again in the prestigious 2021-22 FIH Women's Pro League. The outfit will face Spain at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar on 26 and 27 February. India’s campaign in the Pro League began on a positive note after two wins over China in the opening matches. Now, the focus will be on the forthcoming double-header against the Europeans.

On that front, here is a look at what is in store for the fans of hockey who will be looking at this game with a lot of anticipation:

Team India

The Women in Blue are in good form and currently one of the favourites to win the FIH Pro League. They finished a historic fourth last year at the Tokyo Olympics. They also clinched the bronze medal at the Asian Cup earlier this year in Oman. 

Their opening two wins gave them a strong start to the FIH Women's Pro League campaign but Spain will pose a stronger challenge. India will hope to carry their winning run and secure a fourth win on the trot. 

Team Spain

Spain was one of the replacements alongside India, invited to play in the Pro League following New Zealand and Australia’s decision to not take part. However, the Europeans are yet to record a win in the competition. 

In their two outings yet, Spain has drawn one fixture and lost the other. Their first match was a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Netherlands while the second was a 2-2 draw but later resulted in a tie-breaker (3-2) defeat, getting them a point nonetheless. 

Key Players

Vandana Katariya (India)

The exciting forward has made more than 250 international caps for India. Her hattrick at the Olympics brought her a lot of praise and her skills in front of the goal make the forward a real threat. 

Gurjit Kaur will be an obvious source of goal from penalty corner situations. But when it comes to opportunities from open play, Katariya will be tough to silence for Spain. She was on the scoresheet against China in the 7-1 win at the FIH Women's Pro League and will be hungry for more. 

Beatriz Perez (Spain)

Beatriz Perez is a strong figure in the Spanish squad and her performance will be key for the team. She is a midfielder and one of the more experienced individuals in the squad. She was also part of the team that played in the Tokyo Olympics, where she scored two goals for Spain. 

Beatriz’s work rate and reading of the game make her a strong opponent and she will most certainly pose a strong challenge when the two teams meet in the FIH Women's Pro League double-header. 

Squads

India

Savita (Captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam, Rajani Etimarpu, Deep Grace Ekka (Vice-Captain), Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Monika, Neha, Navjot Kaur, Namita Toppo, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Devi, Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Rajwinder Kaur, Rashmita Minz, Akshata Dhekale, Sonika, Mariana Kujur, Aishwarya Rajesh Chavan.

Spain

Laura Barrios, Sara Barrios, Lara Pampin, Julia Strappato, Maria Lopez, Belen Iglesias, Xantal Gine, Beatriz Perez, Georgina Oliva, Alejandra Torres-Quevedo, Melanie Garcia, Marta Segu, Clara Badia, Florencia Amundson, Patricia Alvarez, Clara Ycart, Laia Vidosa, Ana Calvo.

Did You Know?

• India and Spain were both invited as replacements for Australia and New Zealand that decided to not participate in the Pro League due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• The Kalinga Stadium (hockey) has a capacity of 16,000. 
• Gurjit Kaur is placed as a junior clerk in Indian Railways in Prayagraj. 

Broadcast

The 2021-22 FIH Women's Pro League matches between India and Spain will be live-streamed on the Disney+ Hotstar app.

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