india vs germany
IND vs GER: International hockey returned to New Delhi after a long time but the Indian team was disappointed. The Indian hockey team lost the 2-match test series against Germany. In the first match played at Major Dhyanchand Stadium, Germany defeated India 2-0. Whereas, in the second match, the Indian team was successful in defeating Germany 5-3. However, after this there was a shootout to decide the result of the series in which India had to face defeat by 1-3. In the shootout, Harmanpreet, Abhishek, Mohammad Raheel missed their targets while Aditya Arjun Lalge, who made his debut in the Indian team, scored a goal. India’s goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak saved two goals but could not save his team from defeat.
In the second test, Elian Mazkur scored two goals for Germany (7th and 57th minutes) and Heinrich Mertjens scored one goal in the 60th minute. India won in the second half on the basis of goals from Sukhjit Singh (34th and 48th minute), captain Harmanpreet Singh (42nd and 43rd minute) and Abhishek (45th minute).
Tremendous competition was seen in the match
India made an aggressive start in the second test match but failed to penetrate Germany’s defence. After this, Germany took advantage and opened their account in the 7th minute with the help of Elian’s goal. Two minutes later, Aditya had a great chance to score the equalizing goal but Germany’s goalkeeper Joshua N Onyekwu made an amazing save and dashed the Indian team’s hopes. In the first four minutes of the second half, India played aggressively and scored three penalty corners but could not open the account. Harmanpreet gave India the lead by converting two penalty corners within a minute. Sukhjeet scored a goal in the 34th minute and Abhishek scored the fourth goal for India.
Germany won the shootout
At the same time, in the 48th minute, Sukhjeet dived and dodged the German goalkeeper on a long pass and scored on a reverse hit. Three minutes before the hooter, however, Germany reduced the gap with a goal from Elian. With both teams winning one match each, the series was decided in a shootout. The German team won in this.
(Inputs- PTI)
