Spain Pol vault over England with 2-0 win

On Sunday,the 32-year-old Amat,FIH’s World Player of the Year,created chances up front and while he didn’t score,kept the English defenders on their toes throughout as Spain beat Group B’s top team 2-0.

Having missed out on a semi-final berth,Spain,who are eyeing a Champions Trophy slot now,went all out right from the start,with Amat being the vanguard of their attacks. They penetrated the rival defence 13 times during the game,while the England team could manage only eight. Spain also had eight shots on target as against five by England. Pau Quemada and Eduard Tubau aided the captain well,scoring goals in either half,as Spain finished the group stage with nine points from five games.

“What Spain lacked in the tournament was mental strength. We are a good team,but were not consistent,” said Pol Amat after the match.

“The loss against Pakistan hurt us badly. Before coming into the match,we worked on the mental aspect of our game and it helped. Our aim now is to finish fifth in the tournament,” said Man-of-the-Match Amat,reflecting on his team’s performance.

On his own show,he added: “I didn’t perform up to expectations. I created a few chances,but couldn’t give a finishing touch. Hopefully,I’ll do better in the next game.”

End of streaks

The first match’s result also marked the end of two streaks on Sunday: England lost their first game after winning four in a row,and Ashley Jackson failed to score for the first time in the tournament.

The England No.7 had scored five goals in four previous matches coming into the game,but on Monday he was marked well by the Spaniards and his drag-flick also went wide.

“We didn’t perform up to the mark today,” said Jackson,last year’s youth player of the year,the first Briton to receive the honour. “But since we have already qualified for the semi-finals,we were trying to avoid injuries.”

England shocked Australia in the first match,although the Aussies dominated the game,while they lost to the group’s other top team Spain. Asked if the result could affect the team’s morale going into the last-four matches,the 22-year-old Jackson replied: “It’s doesn’t matter who we are playing in the semi-final. We are ready to face any team,” he added.