In a thrilling encounter at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, India secured a dominant 5-3 victory over Germany in the second Test of their hockey series. Despite the impressive win, India lost the series 1-3 in a penalty shootout after the teams were tied on aggregate. The result was bittersweet for the Indian team, as they missed out on lifting the trophy despite a remarkable comeback in the second game.
A Tale of Two Halves: India’s Rollercoaster Ride
India’s performance in the second Test was a dramatic improvement from their opening game, where they failed to score. However, the match started poorly for the hosts, with Germany taking an early lead through a counter-attack in the 7th minute. The German forward capitalized on a lapse in Indian defense, leaving the Indian goalkeeper Krishnan B Pathak with no chance. India trailed 0-1 after the first quarter and went into halftime still searching for their first goal of the series.
At halftime, it seemed like India might repeat their first-match struggles. Despite creating several opportunities and earning multiple penalty corners, they were unable to break through the German defense. Germany’s goalkeeper was in fine form, making several crucial saves to deny India, including a firm strike from Harmanpreet Singh.
A Third-Quarter Masterclass by India
The third quarter proved to be a game-changer. India came out of the break with renewed energy and launched an all-out attack on the German defense. Within the first four minutes of the quarter, Sukhjeet Singh scored a well-constructed goal, slotting home a cross from the left wing to bring India level at 1-1.
The floodgates opened after that, and within a span of ten minutes, India turned the game on its head. Captain Harmanpreet Singh, India’s ace drag-flicker, found his rhythm and converted two penalty corners in quick succession. His back-to-back goals in the 12th and 13th minutes of the quarter gave India a 3-1 lead, leaving the German side shell-shocked.
Abhishek then added India’s fourth goal towards the end of the third quarter, capitalizing on a well-timed pass to slot the ball into the net. India had gone from trailing 0-1 to leading 4-1 in just 15 minutes, a spectacular turnaround that left the home crowd roaring in excitement.
Sukhjeet Seals the Deal, but Germany Respond Late
Germany tried to mount a comeback in the final quarter, but India’s counter-attacking prowess proved too much for them to handle. Sukhjeet Singh scored his second goal of the match early in the fourth quarter, rounding the German goalkeeper to make it 5-1. At this point, it seemed India had all but sealed the victory.
However, Germany managed to score two late consolation goals, with one coming just 30 seconds before the final whistle. The scoreline at full-time read 5-3 in favor of India, setting the stage for a dramatic penalty shootout to decide the series winner.
Shootout Disappointment for India
Despite their remarkable comeback and convincing win in the second Test, India couldn’t carry their momentum into the shootout. Germany won the toss and elected to go first, converting their first penalty to take a 1-0 lead. India’s captain Harmanpreet Singh missed his stroke, squandering a crucial opportunity to level the scores.
Abhishek did manage to score India’s first penalty, but a video referral overturned the decision, and the goal was disallowed. Germany capitalized on India’s struggles, converting their second and fourth penalties to seal a 3-1 win in the shootout. Krishnan B Pathak, filling in for the retired PR Sreejesh, made some brilliant saves, but India’s missed chances proved costly.
A Positive Takeaway for India
Despite the shootout loss, there were plenty of positives for India to take from the series. Harmanpreet Singh was named Player of the Match for his two goals and commanding presence on the field. Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek also stood out with their attacking performances, while Krishnan B Pathak showed his potential as India’s new number one goalkeeper.
India’s 5-3 win showcased their ability to compete at the highest level, but the missed chances in the shootout will linger as a reminder of how close they came to winning the series. As Indian hockey moves forward, the team will look to build on this performance and continue their development in the lead-up to future international competitions.
In the end, while Germany took home the trophy, India’s impressive performance in the second Test provided a glimpse of the exciting talent in the squad and the potential for future success on the global stage.
