HOCKEY – Eighth-ranked Spain upset reigning champions Belgium 3-2 in the men’s hockey quarter-finals yesterday as skipper Marc Miralles netted a crucial third goal with three minutes to go before the defence stifled an attempted comeback.
Earlier, India beat Britain 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Spain will face either Netherlands or Australia in the semis, while India will play Germany or Argentina.
Forward Jose Maria Basterra opened Spain’s scoring in the 40th minute by converting a goalkeeper deflection off a blistering pass from defender Jordi Bonastre but the lead did not last long as Belgium’s Arthur de Sloover equalised a minute later.
Forward Marc Reyne put Spain back in front after 55 minutes with a strike from the field and Miralles stretched the lead before Alexander Hendrickx pulled a goal back.
In the earlier game, India beat Britain after playing with 10 men for most of the match following a red card for a reckless high stick by defender Amit Rohidas in the 17th minute.
The final penalty score by substitute Raj Kumar Pal put the once dominant side in the semi-finals for the second Olympics in a row, after they won bronze in Tokyo, as they look to recapture the gold medal that has eluded them since 1980.
Going a man down seemed to galvanise rather than discourage India and they pressed forward and forced a penalty corner five minutes later, with skipper Harmanpreet Singh capitalising on the chance to give India their only score.
Britain equalised through Lee Morton after 27 minutes but India held on to prevail in the shootout.
&uuid=(email))