Womens World Cup Points Table 2023
India stun world champions Germany 3-2 in first match after World Cup debacle
India stun world champions Germany 3-2 in first match after World Cup debacle
India stun world champions Germany 3-2 in first match after World Cup debacle
Indian Healthcare: A great time for ambitious professionals to learn, grow and transform
India to make fresh start with FIH Pro League after World Cup debacle
Craig Fulton appointed new chief coach of Indian mens hockey team
NEW DELHI: TheIndian hockey teamleft the World Cup debacle behind as they shocked world champions Germany 3-2 in the first match of theFIH Pro Leaguein Rourkela on Friday.
StrikerSukhjeet Singhscored a brace as he struck the field goals in the 31st and 42nd minutes to be adjudged player of the match. The 26-year-old Sukhjeet survived the axe after Indias pre-quarterfinal exit in the World Cup in January.
His captainHarmanpreet Singh, joint top-scorer in the tournament so far, had given the home side the lead in the 30th minute through a penalty corner conversion.
Harmanpreet had also flopped big time during the World Cup held here and in Bhubaneswar as he had struggled to find the target from his drag flick in the big matches in the showpiece.
India were 3-0 up in the 42nd minute before Paul-Philipp Kaufmann andMichel Struthoffstruck for Germany in the 44th and 57th minutes respectively.
The Germans, who came with several players of their World Cup-winning team, struggled to score from the penalty corners. They got six PCs as against four of India.
The visitors got off to a strong start with five back-to-back PCs in the 10th minute but India held their nerves to defend all of them.
Striker Abhisheks efforts in the circle in the later part of the second quarter finally brought the momentum India was vying for.
Up until then, stray attempts by strikers Gurjant Singh and Dilpreet Singh -- both brought in to the team after missing the World Cup -- in the initial minutes of the game was put away by German keeper Alexander Stadler.
Abhisheks quick thinking in his tackle to surge ahead inside the striking circle forced a German infringement that earned the home team its first PC of the match just before the half time.
Harmanpreet, who was retained as captain despite the sacking of head coach Graham Reid after the World Cup, was top class in his attempt, picking up a good injection by Hardik Singh to fiercely put it away into the right corner of the post, giving India the much-needed 1-0 lead.
The lead was a shot in the arm for Indias attack as they built on it in the third quarter. A brilliant pass by Jarmanpreet Singh from the 25m mark, slicing into the circle to find a perfect deflection by Sukhjeet fetched India their second goal in the first minute after resumption.
About 11 minutes later, Sukhjeet struck again. Manpreet Singh powered a long pass from the midfield to the striking circle which was picked up well by the talented youngster S Karthi who then assisted Sukhjeet to score his second goal of the match and Indias third against a formidable German defence.
Apart from stitching together good attacks, with the midfield and forward line in sync, India made some smart referrals that kept the German attack at bay.
The visitors, though, managed a goal just before the end of third quarter when Elian Mazkour set up Paul-Philipp Kaufmann to score.
India showcased some superb deep defending in the final moments of the match with Germany pulling out their goalkeeper and adding an extra man to their attack.
Always known to finish well, Germany tucked in a goal with just over two minutes left for the final hooter. It was Hannes Muller who set up the goal for Michel Struthoff.
Action didnt end there with India being awarded a penalty stroke in the dying seconds of the match but Harmanpreet couldnt convert it. But India eventually held on to the 3-2 lead and earned three points.
Harmanpreet was shown a yellow card in the fifth minute, and so was Germanys Tom Grambusch, in the 10th minute.
With the recently-appointed head coach Craig Fulton yet to join the team, David John was at the helm on Friday, a job he is expected to do in the next three matches also.
Following their World Cup debacle, India have dropped senior players Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh and Amit Rohidas, while goalkeeper Krishan Pathak also missed due to his wedding.
India face Australia on Sunday and Germany again in the second leg on Monday.
Vedhika looks dazzling in these clicks
Deepika Padukones stunning look at the Oscars
Oscars 2023: Naatu Naatu from RRR wins Best Original Song
10 cancer-fighting foods to add to your diet
Mushy pics of Gourab Mondal and fiance Chintamani Diana
Preethi Asranis charming pictures
18 Foods facts that will blow your mind
Dont miss Lakshmi Nakshathras vacation looks
Rourkela Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium
4th Test Live: Head, Labuschagne dig in after Kuhnemann falls early
Axar Patel, the batter, shines yet again
WPL: Harmanpreet, Sciver-Brunt fire Mumbai to fourth straight win
Live Blog: India vs Australia, 4th Test, Day 5
Hockey Pro League: India upset Australia 5-4
Plan your vacation with the new CRED Escapes
Poonawalla Fincorps Professional Loan for Doctors
ISBs Chief Digital Officer Programme
Bengaluru FC reach ISL final with sudden-death win over Mumbai City
Virat Kohli registers highest Test score against Australia
Live: India is elated and proud, says PM on Naatu Naatus Oscar win for Best Original Song
The Elephant Whisperers director dedicates award to motherland India
Karnataka gets worlds longest railway platform in Hubballi
IndiGo Delhi-Doha flight diverted to Karachi due to medical emergency
4th Test Live: Head, Labuschagne dig in for Australia
Is Himanta Biswa now ready for a national role?
Live: BRS, AAP MPs protest in Parliament over Adani row
Defence ministry finalising ₹15,000 cr+ deal for 200 more BrahMos
Full and final list of winner of Oscar Awards 2023
Why more Khushbus must speak up about childhood abuse