Times of India: Germany down Indian eves in a hard fought encounter

STELLENBOSCH: The Indian women’s hockey team went down fighting 2-3 to slump to their second consecutive defeat against Germany in the tour to South Africa.

The first period started with the Indian eves looking to make up for the 0-3 loss in the previous tie against Germany. They began on an attacking note and were soon awarded by a penalty corner conversion by Sunita Lakra to end the first quarter with a 1-0 lead.

The second quarter evidently saw Germany trying to make a comeback. Their efforts paid rich dividends as Lisa Marie Schutze secured a field goal to score the equaliser.

The Indians fought back, playing a counter attacking game and in the dying minutes of the second quarter Anuradha Devi Thokchom scored a field goal that put team in the lead again.

But it wasn’t long before Germany’s Hannah Kruger converted a penalty corner to once again bring the scores to equilibrium.

The first half ended with the scores tied at 2-2.

The third quarter witnessed no goals from either side as both the defences were at work.

Both the teams went into a completely attack mode, playing a pressing game in the fourth and final quarter.

It was Kruger, who became the hero for Germany in the end, as she converted her second penalty corner of the match in the dying moments to give her team an exciting 3-2 victory over India.

The next match of the South African tour will be played between India and Scotland on Tuesday.