October 23, 2024: India lost 2-0 to reigning World Champions and Olympic silver medallists Germany in the first match of the PFC India vs Germany Bilateral Hockey Series 2024, held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.
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Henrik Mertgens opened the scoring for Germany in the 4th minute, capitalizing on a loose ball in the Indian shooting circle. India struggled to find their rhythm early on but managed to create some opportunities midway through the first quarter. Despite earning a penalty corner, Varun Kumar missed the chance to equalize, and the first quarter ended with Germany leading 1-0.
In the second quarter, India ramped up the pressure, earning three penalty corners, but failed to convert. Harmanpreet Singh had a golden opportunity to level the score with a penalty stroke, but German goalkeeper Joshua Onyekwue Nnaji made a crucial save. Germany responded quickly in the final minute of the half, with Lukas Windfeder scoring from a penalty corner to double their lead, sending them into halftime 2-0 up.
India tried to raise their intensity in the third quarter, but the German defense held strong. Despite earning more penalty corners and counter-attacks, Indian efforts were thwarted by Nnaji and the disciplined German defense. The final quarter saw India maintaining possession but struggling to create clear goal-scoring opportunities, and the match ended 2-0 in favor of Germany.
India will look to bounce back in the remaining matches of the series, while Germany’s clinical performance in the first game has set the tone for a strong showing in the series.
