The Indian hockey team has lost the series against world champion Germany in just 2 matches. The winner was decided through a shootout. In which India lost 1-3. On Thursday, India won the second match 5-3 thanks to 2-2 goals by captain Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh. With this victory of Team India, the series was tied at 1-1, because Germany had won the first match 2-0. In the second test at Major Dhyanchand Stadium, Elian Mazkur (in the 7th and 57th minutes) scored two goals for Germany and Heinrich Mertgens scored one goal in the 60th minute. On the other hand, Sukhjeet Singh (34th and 48th minute), captain Harmanpreet Singh (42nd and 43rd) and Abhishek (45th minute) scored goals for the Indian team in the second half. See photo India could score only one goal in the shootout
In the shootout to decide the series, the Indian players could score only one goal in 5 attempts, while Germany scored 3 goals. Aditya Arjun Lalage, who was making his debut for India, scored a goal, while Harmanpreet, Abhishek, Mohammad Raheel failed. Goalkeeper Krishna Bahadur Pathak saved 2 goals, but could not prevent the team’s defeat. Indians could not penetrate the German defense in the first quarter
India started the match aggressively. The team created many chances in the initial minutes, but could not penetrate the German defense. At the same time, Germany’s Eliane scored a goal in the 7th minute and put his team in the lead. He scored a goal on a reverse shot from the right corner. 2 minutes later, Aditya came close to scoring a goal, but his shot was saved by Germany’s goalkeeper Joshua N Onyekwu on a pass from Jarmanpreet Singh. Lucas Windfeder’s shot went out on the first penalty corner Germany got in the 12th minute. India trailed 0-1 till half time
A few minutes later, India got a penalty corner. On which India tried a variation and Amit Rohidas, playing his 200th match, handed the ball to Harmanpreet, but his shot was saved by the German goalkeeper. India foiled the penalty corner that Germany got on the counterattack. India got two more penalty corners, but could not score a goal. The penalty corner that Germany got two minutes before halftime went waste. In the first 4 minutes of the second half, India played aggressively and scored three penalty corners, but could not open the account. Harmanpreet scored two goals in a minute
Harmanpreet gave India the lead by converting 2 penalty corners within a minute. Sukhjeet scored a goal in the 34th minute and Abhishek scored the fourth goal for India. Sukhjeet scored a goal on a reverse hit by diving and dodging the German goalkeeper on a long pass in the 48th minute. The penalty corner that Germany got in the 54th minute went waste. However, three minutes before the hooter, Germany reduced the gap with Elian’s goal. ———————————————————– Read this hockey news too… Former Indian captain Rani Rampal retires Former Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal announced her retirement on Thursday. Rani, who made her debut in the Olympic qualifiers in 2008 at the age of 14, scored 205 goals in her 254 matches for India. Read full news
