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The Indian women’s hockey team will seek to return to winning ways as they prepare to face Spain in a crucial FIH Pro League doubleheader in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday and Wednesday.

After a promising start with a thrilling 3-2 victory over England, India fell short in their second match, losing 2-1 in a dramatic shootout after the game ended 2-2 in regulation time.

 

Despite showing resilience, India are placed eighth in the standings with four points from two matches.

Aiming to climb the table, India will face a confident Spanish side that arrives on the back of consecutive victories over Germany during the India leg of the tournament.

India's opening performance against England revealed their potential, particularly in penalty corner conversions, where they scored twice from three attempts.

However, their efficiency faltered in the second game, failing to convert any of their three penalty corners.

"Spain is a tricky team, and we know it’s going to be a challenging contest. However, we are ready for the challenge," India captain Salima Tete said.

 

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"We've analysed our performances against England and identified the areas where we need to improve, especially in converting penalty corners. We are focused on tightening our defence and making the most of our scoring opportunities," she added.

Spain, currently fourth in the points table with eight points, will aim to further consolidate their position.

They secured back-to-back 2-1 victories over Germany, bolstering their confidence.

Despite their recent success, Spain have had an inconsistent campaign overall, with two wins and a shootout victory in six matches.

Patricia Alvarez has been a standout performer for the Spanish side, leading their goal tally with two crucial strikes.

India will need to sharpen their attacking play and maintain defensive discipline to counter Spain’s aggressive approach.

 

With the Pro League serving as a key preparation platform ahead of major tournaments, the doubleheader presents a significant opportunity for India to regain momentum.

The matches are scheduled to commence at 5:15 PM on Tuesday and 7:30 PM on Wednesday in Bhubaneswar.