S2H Team
India’s women’s hockey team fought gamely before going down 0-1 to Germany in the second of their four-match series against Germany in Dusseldorf on Sunday.
The tourists, smarting from a 0-5 defeat to their German hosts in the first match on Saturday, put in a far improved performance and made the World No. 3 team work hard for the result.
Amelie Wortmann (24’) scored the only goal of the game which put the hosts 2-0 ahead in the series.
Coach Sjoerd Marijne rung in the changes after Saturday’s huge defeat. Germany, like in the first encounter, attempted to make inroads into the Indian defence at the outset and goalkeeper Rajani was tested during a penalty corner which she thwarted.
India’s defence grew in stature as the game progressed and the scoreboard remained blank at the end of the first quarter.
German pressure mounted in the second quarter and midfielder Amelie Wortmann shot her side ahead six minutes from halftime.
No. 9-ranked India responded with a penalty corner three minutes after falling behind but the German defence held firm.
Germany forced another penalty corner early into the third quarter but India’s defence proved equal to the occasion.
India soaked up German pressure resolutely and a third penalty corner by the hosts came to nothing. As the minutes ticked away, Germany retained composure to deny India a close look at their goal, thereby preserving their slender lead till the final hooter.
The teams clash again in their third match on Tuesday, 2nd March 2021 at 1630 hrs IST.