Indian junior men's hockey team lost 1-3 to hosts Spain in a group stage game at the 8-Nations U-21 Invitational tournament, in Madrid yesterday.

Both the teams went into halftime locked in a goalless stalemate. In a third quarter, India's Pratap Lakra struck the first goal by converting a penalty corner. Spain hit back soon though, where they hit back with three quick goals.

Ignacio Cobos struck their first, in the 35th minute with a PC conversion. Cesar Cusier and Gonzalo Quijano scored two in quick succession to give them a 3-1 lead. India plays Austria in a 5-8 classification encounter tomorrow at 3 PM Indian Time.