Hockey : India wins 3rd Test against Spain
A goal by skipper Rani two minutes from the final whistle helped India to record its first win of tour of Spain in Madrid on Friday. Rani's goal in the 59th minutes paved way for India's 3-2 win to make the series score 1-1 as the second match had ended in a draw.
This was India's third win against Spain in 10 matches.
The win has come as a morale booster for the visiting Indian team as it is preparing itself for the Vitality Women's World Cup and the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia later this year.
Before the start of the game, India's star forward Vandana Katariya was felicitated on eve of her 200th international game.
The game, however, did not start well for the visitors as Maria Lopez, the captain of the host team, gave Indian defence no chance with her penalty corner conversion.
India retorted with a similar goal. It was young Gurjit kaur who scored her first penalty corner goal of the tour in the 28th minute.
After changing ends, India took the lead for the first time in the series when Navneet Kaur scored a brilliant field goal in the 32nd minute. Loa Riera, who had scored two goals in the first game, however, restored parity for Spain in the 58th minute with a neat penalty corner conversion.
A minute later experienced Rani had the last laugh with a beautiful field goal to clinch the issue for India.
The fourth Test will be played on Saturday.
