Date: October 30, 2024 — In an electrifying display of hockey, India bounced back from an earlier defeat to defeat Germany 5-3 in the second Test of their bilateral series, held at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi. Despite the victory, India lost the series in a tense shootout after both teams finished with one win each.

Match Summary

• Indian Goals: Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh shone bright, scoring two goals each, while Abhishek contributed with another.
• German Goals: Elian Mazkour netted twice (7th and 57th minutes), and Henrik Mertgens scored the final goal for Germany at the 60th minute, showcasing their resilience throughout the match.

First Half: A Rocky Start for India

The match began with Germany taking control early. In the 7th minute, Elian Mazkour opened the scoring with a powerful reverse shot, catching the Indian defense off-guard. India, despite creating several chances, struggled to find the back of the net in the first half.

• Key Moments: India earned multiple penalty corners but failed to convert, with Harmanpreet's shot saved by German goalkeeper Joshua Nnaji Onyekwue. The pressure was on as India fought to equalize before halftime.

Second Half: Indian Resurgence

Coming out with renewed energy, India dominated the second half. Within minutes, they secured three consecutive penalty corners, leading to a breakthrough:

• Goals Galore:
  • Harmanpreet Singh scored two penalty corner goals within a minute, first placing a precise shot into the top corner, followed by a powerful flick.
  • Abhishek then extended the lead to 4-1 with a fierce strike from the right corner, igniting hopes for an Indian victory.
  • Sukhjeet Singh added a fifth goal in the 48th minute, executing a brilliant reverse hit past the German keeper.

Germany’s Tenacity

Despite trailing, Germany showcased their fighting spirit.

• Comeback Goals: In the 57th minute, Mazkour scored again, turning sharply to evade the defense, pulling the score to 5-2. Just as the clock ticked down, Mertgens found the net to bring Germany closer at 5-3, setting the stage for a dramatic shootout.

Shootout Drama: India Falls Short

With both teams winning one match each, the series was decided by a shootout, where India faced disappointment:

• Shootout Details:
  • India scored just once through Aditya, while Harmanpreet, Abhishek, and Mohammed Raheel all missed their chances.
  • Germany capitalized on their opportunities, winning the shootout 3-1, sealing the series victory.

Key Takeaways

• Strong Performance: India showcased remarkable resilience, especially in the second half, turning the match around and dominating play.
• Leadership and Future: Skipper Harmanpreet Singh displayed excellent leadership, both in scoring and motivating the team. This match serves as a strong foundation for future encounters against top teams.
• Next Steps: With this series behind them, the Indian team will look to refine their strategies and improve their finishing in penalty corners as they prepare for upcoming tournaments.