FIH Pro League 2023-24: Indian men’s team loses 3-2 to Germany
Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh scored the goals for India. The Indian men’s hockey team will play Great Britain in their final match on Sunday.
Hockey
The Indian men’s hockey team lost 3-2 to Germany in its third FIH Pro League 2023-24 match of London leg at the Lee Valley Hockey Stadium on Saturday.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh (19’) and Sukhjeet Singh (48’) scored the goals for world No. 5 India. Gonzalo Peillat (2’, 33’) and Christopher Ruhr (10’) were on target for the Germany men’s hockey team, which is sixth in the world hockey rankings.
This was India’s penultimate match of the ongoing FIH Pro League campaign. With 24 points from 15 matches, the Indian men’s team is currently fourth in the standings.
Germany were quick to get off the blocks and put India on the backfoot. The reigning world champions earned a penalty corner early in the first quarter, which Gonzalo Peillat converted.
India then started pressing high inside Germany’s circle with Hardik Singh and Gurjant Singh combining to put pressure on the opposition defence. However, it was Germany who doubled their lead as Christopher Ruhr found the back of the net.
The first quarter ended with Germany leading India 2-0.
India started the second quarter well and pulled a goal back through Harmanpreet Singh, who found the back of the net from a penalty corner. Despite repeated attacks and putting constant pressure on the German defenders, India were unable to cover the deficit going into half-time.
High on confidence, India started the game aggressively after half-time but the German defence continued to hold down their fort. The third quarter saw plenty of action on both ends but it was Germany who extended their lead as Gonzalo Peillat converted another penalty corner to make it 3-1.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, India started showcasing urgency. India pulled one more back as Sukhjeet Singh netted from a close range. India made threatening runs inside the circle but the German defenders held their nerves till the final whistle. The match ended with Germany winning 3-2.
The Indian men’s hockey team will face hosts Great Britain next on Sunday.