Rourkela: A billion and more people will be backing Harmanpreet Singh & Co. when India launches their 2023 World Cup Hockey campaign with a match against Spain at the swanky Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium here this evening.
Spain have been a traditional European heavyweight, but teams like Belgium and England have moved ahead of them in the last few years.
As far as India’s head-to-head record with Spain is concerned, the men in blue are slightly ahead.
Of the 67 times the two nations have faced off in men’s field hockey, India have won 28, Spain emerged victors in 25, while 14 games have ended indecisively.
As for the last 5 clashes, India and Spain have won 2 each, with 1 drawn.
Interestingly, 4 of their last 5 encounters took place on Odisha soil – at the Kalinga Stadium, to be precise.
All those 4 matches were played in 2022 – 2 in the 2021-22 FIH Pro League and 2 in the current cycle (2022-23) of FIH Pro League.
On February 26 last year, India snatched a thrilling 5-4 win over Spain, coming from 1-4 down and scoring four goals in the final 19 minutes.
A day later, the tables turned as India squandered a 3-2 lead to go down 3-5.
The battle resumed on October 30 at Kalinga Stadium, when India conceded a late goal to lose 2-3. In the return game on November 6, India let in a 55th-minute goal to allow Spain draw 2-2.
From Bhubaneswar, the rivalry moves to Rourkela.
A packed stadium will expect to be treated to a battle royale, with the home crowd praying for an India victory.
