Despite dominating the field proceedings most part of the game, India conceded a goal three minutes before the end time and settled for an avoidable but exciting 3-3 draw against defending champions Germany in the opener of the London Champions Trophy.
India took lead when experienced V. Raghunath converted team’s first penalty corner in the sixth minute but debutant Tom Grahmbush levelled, also through return penalty corner. A minute later, SV Sunil set up Mandeep for giving India 2-1 lead.
Moments after lemon time, Harmanpreet converted India’s early penalty corner to give India what seemed an unassiable 3-1 lead.
Meanwhile, a SV Sunil’s goal was disallowed after TV replay found he footfaulted with ball before sending it home.
Germany pressed hard, and Indian vulnerability started showed up.
First Danish Mujtaba got a green card suspension during which time Tom Grahmbush struck his second goal.
Talwinder, who would later miss out a sitter, got a yellow card suspension. India conceded half a dozen penalty corners in that spell.
Germany showed enormous calm and composure in weaving patterns around now unsettled defence.
Three minutes before the hooter, Germany converted its last of nine penalty corners into a stroke, when its flick hit the leg of Pardeep Mor (3-3).
Earlier, Sreejesh showed enormous athleticism in thwarting at least three sure goals, one to one with Florian Fuchs was a classic.
India never won any opener game against Germany in any FIH tournaments, and it kept its record today much against the currency of the he field proceedings.