This is positive news. A goody 9000 strong crowd turned up yesterday to witness what is surely an inconsequential Series despite being held on a working day that too in working hours. They must have returned disappointed as Harmanpreet Singh’s team failed upfront, played at half pace to finish the day without a goal on board. All the more frustrating was the fact that captain himself failed with a stroke!
The Indians were trailing 0-1 when the stroke opportunity came. In fact, the hosts were given a goal by umpire Chanamthabam Nepoleon but the visitors went for a video referral. The goal was disallowed instead a stroke was awarded. Harmanpreet pushed low to the right of goalkeeper Joshua Onyekwue Nnaji, but the flight was not acute to the right post as intended but was close to where the GK was positioned. He sensed it and stopped with a frog jump much to the chagrin of the crowd.
Wednesday seemed a bad day for Indian hockey, as its colts went down 0-4 to Australia at the Sultan of Johor Cup.
This missed opportunity was preceded by wasting six penalty corners, Criag Fulton giving opportunity to new takers.
Rajinder Singh did well on his debut match today.
Ultimately, The Indian Men’s Hockey Team went down 2-0 to reigning World Champions and Olympic Silver Medallists Germany in the first match. Henrik Mertgens (4’) and Lukas Windfeder (30’) found the back of the net for Germany. Notably, Rajinder Singh made his senior international debut.
Germany made the first foray into India’s circle early in the game and Henrik Mertgens pounced on a stray ball in the shooting circle to beat Krishan Pathak and score the first goal of the game for Germany. With India struggling to find a foothold in the game Germany looked to double their lead and pegged India back into their own half. Halfway through the quarter, India began moving the ball around with pace to bypass the German high press and went on to earn a penalty corner but Varun Kumar failed to equalise. However, Germany wrestled back control of the ball and ended the quarter 1-0 in their favour.
The second quarter saw India put Germany on the back foot in search of an equaliser. The pressure resulted in three penalty corners for India but Sanjay, Amit and Harmanpreet failed to capitalise on the opportunities. With three minutes left in the quarter, India were awarded a penalty stroke but German goalkeeper Joshua Onyekwue Nnaji battered away Harmanpreet’s shot to maintain their lead in the game. Germany initiated a counter attack in the last minute of the half and earned a penalty corner. Lukas Windfeder stepped up and found the gap between goalkeeper Suraj Karkera and postman Jarmanpreet Singh to double Germany’s lead heading into the second half.
India attempted to switch up the intensity in the third quarter but Germany matched them and ensured there was no clear goalscoring chance created for most of the quarter. At the five minute mark, India earned another penalty corner but Joshua Onyekwue Nnaji remained alert in goal to save Harmanpreet’s flick. Germany reacted quickly to rush up the pitch and earn a penalty corner of their own. Goalkeeper Krishan Pathak deflected Benedikt Schwarzhaupt ‘s shot up and over and India initiated a counter attack of their own with Germany’s defence unsettled but Harmanpreet’s reverse shot only found the side netting.
Germany looked to further increase their lead as the last quarter began but Amit Rohidas was on hand to avert any danger. India, on the other hand, continued to rotate possession patiently in search for their first goal but were unable to create goal scoring opportunities and the match ended 2-0 in Germany’s favour.
The second and last match will happen today 15.00 hrs. Many VIPs are expected to attend the match.
