India edged past a resolute Spanish side to win 2-1 and secure a place in the semi-final of the Junior World Cup in Lucknow on Thursday.
India went into the half-time break trailing by a goal. They equalised with 12 minutes left on the clock as a lucky deflection from a penalty corner sat up well for Simranjeet Singh, who tapped in from close range.
The hosts clinched the decisive goal just four minutes from time as Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner.
The Spaniards took the lead in the game through a penalty corner as well after Marc Serrahima latched onto the rebound after the initial attempt was blocked by Indian keeper Vikas Dahiya.
India were wasteful in the first half, which produced few chances. The hosts came back strongly in the second half but a combination of poor finishing and outstanding goalkeeping from Albert Perez kept them at bay for a majority of the second half.
India will meet Australia in the semi-final on December 16th.
The score:
India 2 (Simranjeet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh) beat Spain 1 (Marc Serrahima)
