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The Indian men's hockey team was held to a 0-0 draw by England in a Pool D clash of the ongoing 2023 Hockey World Cup at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela on January 15 (Sunday). Both teams produced edge-of-the-seat entertainment for thousands of fans inside the stadium and millions watching on television. It was a neck-to-neck encounter that ebbed and flowed over several directions, but in the end, both goalkeepers were able to maintain a clean sheet. As a result of a goalless draw, both teams pocketed a point each as England scaled to the top of Pool D as the Three Lions boast a better goal difference. Hosts India currently sits in second place.
A total of 12 penalty corners were awarded in the game but neither India nor England managed to convert it into a goal. The Three Lions had a chance to secure all three points from a penalty corner in the last minute of the game but Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh came up with a sensational save. Overall, England earned eight penalty corners compared to India's four.
In the dying stages of the third quarter, Mandeep Singh put the ball into the back of the net and set off for a celebratory run but the on-field referee disallowed the Indian attacker's attempt.
Spain vs Wales
In the first game of the day, Marc Reyna and Marc Miralles struck a brace each as Spain outplayed Wales 5-1 in a Pool D match to register their first win of the campaign.
Reyna scored in the 16th and 38th minutes while Miralles found the back of the net in the 32nd and 56th minutes. Captain Alvaro Iglesias was on target for Spain in the 22nd-minute mark.
James Carson's 52nd-minute strike was the only goal for Wales, who lost their second consecutive match of the campaign.
Spain had earlier lost 0-2 to hosts India while Wales were defeated 0-5 by England.
Spain will take on England in their final pool match on January 19 in Bhubaneswar, while Wales will face India.
India vs Spain
In their first game of the 2023 Hockey World Cup campaign, Team India defeated Spain 2-0 at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha, on January 13 (Friday). Local hero Amit Rohidas fired the ball into the back of the net from close range at the 12th-minute mark of the 1st quarter to give India the lead after Harmanpreet Singh failed to convert a penalty corner. Rohidas' strike also marked a historic moment for India as it was the country's 200th goal at World Cups. With four minutes left in the 2nd quarter, Hardik Singh sprinted on the left flank before firing a powerful shot that rattled the back of the net to double India's lead.
