IND vs GER hockey, 2024: India go down 2-0 against world champions Germany in opener

The Indian men's hockey team went down 2-0 in the first game of the two-match bilateral series against world champions Germany at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Henrik Mertgens (4’) opened the scoring for the world No. 2 Germany. India, fifth in the hockey world rankings, had a chance to level but captain Harmanpreet Singh missed a penalty stroke in the 27th minute. Lukas Windfeder (30') doubled Germany's lead before the half time.

Germany dominated the opening stages of the first quarter. Henrik Mertgens capitalised on a gap in India's defence in the fourth minute and slotted the ball easily past goalkeeper Krishan Pathak. Germany looked like a cohesive unit for the remainder of the quarter but could not double their lead.

India raised their intensity in the second quarter, earning multiple penalty corners. Dilpreet Singh found the back of the net in the 27th minute but a video referral from Germany overturned the goal, awarding India a penalty stroke instead. Harmanpreet Singh’s direct strike was saved by Joshua Onyekwue Nnaji.

In the final seconds of the first half, Germany earned a penalty corner after the ball hit Sanjay’s foot. Lukas Windfeder’s shot took a deflection off an Indian defender but the ball eventually rolled into the goal.

India kept creating chances in the second half but Germany's defence held firm. In the final five minutes, India threw everything forward and pulled out the goalkeeper in a desperate bid to score. However, India could not breach the German defence.

This was the fourth meeting between India and Germany this year. Germany had defeated India 3-2 in the Paris 2024 Olympics semi-finals while India came out on top with 3-0 and 3-2 wins in the FIH Pro League.

The second match of the India vs Germany hockey series will be played at the same venue on Thursday.