The Indian hockey team lost the series against the world champion Germany by just 2 matches. The winner was decided by a shootout. In which India lost 1-3.
On Thursday, India won the second match 5-3 thanks to 2 goals each from captain Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjit Singh. Team India's win leveled the series at 1–1, as Germany won the first match 2–0.
In the second test at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Elian Majkoor scored two goals (in the 7th and 57th minutes) and Henrik Mertjens scored a goal in the 60th minute for Germany. At the same time, Sukhjit Singh (34th and 48th minutes), captain Harmanpreet Singh (42nd and 43rd) and Abhishek (45th minute) scored goals for the Indian team in the second half.
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Players of both teams participating in a photo session after the match.
Indian goalkeeper Krishna Bahadur Pathak is having fun with teammate Manpreet Singh's daughter.
Team India won the second match by a margin of 5-3.
India managed to score only one goal in the shootout In the shootout to decide the series, the Indians scored only one goal in 5 attempts, while the Germans scored 3 goals. India debutant Aditya Arjun Lalge scored while Harmanpreet, Abhishek, Mohammad Raheel failed. Goalkeeper Krishna Bahadur Pathak saved 2 goals, but could not prevent the team from losing.
The Indians could not penetrate the German defense in the first quarter India started the match aggressively. The team created several chances in the opening minutes, but could not penetrate the German defence. Along with this, Germany's Elia scored a goal in the 7th minute to give his team the lead. He scored on a reverse shot from the right corner.
After 2 minutes, Aditya came close to scoring, but his shot from Jarmanpreet Singh's pass was saved by Germany goalkeeper Joshua N Onyekwue. Lucas Windfeder's shot went wide on Germany's first penalty corner in the 12th minute.
India trailed 0-1 at half time Minutes later, India got a penalty corner. On which India tried to diversify and Amit Rohidas, playing his 200th match, handed the ball to Harmanpreet, but his shot was saved by the German goalkeeper. India failed to get a penalty corner in Germany's counter-attack.
India got two more penalty corners, but could not score. Germany were awarded a penalty corner two minutes before half time. In the first 4 minutes of the second half, India played an aggressive game and got three penalty corners, but could not open the account.
The Indian hockey team could not score a single goal in the first half.
Harmanpreet scored two goals in one minute Harmanpreet converted 2 penalty corners in a minute to give India the lead. For India, Sukhjit scored in the 34th minute and Abhishek scored the fourth goal.
In the 48th minute, Sukhjit scored on a reverse hit after diving past the German goalkeeper on a long pass. Germany's penalty corner went in vain in the 54th minute. Three minutes before the hooter, however, Germany reduced the gap through Allianz's goal.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh made a comeback for Team India by scoring two goals in one minute.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
