Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India]: The Indian men’s hockey team secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over World Champions Germany in their second match of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Wednesday. Gurjant Singh scored the lone goal as India climbed to seventh in the standings.
Solid Response After Previous Defeat
After suffering a 4-1 loss to Germany on Tuesday, India bounced back with a disciplined defensive performance led by captain Harmanpreet Singh. The team took an early lead, with Gurjant Singh finding the net just four minutes into the match.
Rajinder Singh sent a ball into the circle, hoping for Mandeep Singh to finish, but German goalkeeper Alexander Stadler blocked the attempt. However, the loose ball remained in play, allowing an unmarked Gurjant to dive in and sweep it into an empty net.
Defensive Resilience and Goalkeeping Heroics
India adopted a half-court press, absorbing German attacks while looking for counter-attacking opportunities. Krishan Bahadur Pathak made a crucial save in the first quarter, denying Thies Prinz an equalizer. Germany’s first penalty corner in the dying moments of the quarter also went wide, keeping India ahead.
Throughout the match, India’s defense stood firm, with goalkeepers Pathak and Suraj Karkera making critical saves to deny Gonzalo Peillat and other German attackers.
Late German Surge Thwarted
Germany intensified their attack in the final quarter, winning four consecutive penalty corners in the last minutes. However, India’s resolute defense, led by Karkera, ensured they held onto their slender lead. A key review by Harmanpreet Singh reversed a penalty corner decision, further frustrating Germany’s efforts.
With time running out, Germany pulled their goalkeeper for an extra outfield player, but India held firm to seal their second victory of the season.