Germany defeat India in thrilling FIH Hockey Pro League

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 9, 2024 01:01 IST

Germany's men's hockey team clinched a dramatic 3-2 win over India at the Lee Valley Hockey Stadium on Saturday, ending a seven-match losing streak against their rivals in a riveting encounter during the FIH Hockey Pro League's London leg. Germany made a dream start as Gonzalo Peillat fired them ahead with a drag flick in the second minute. They dominated the early exchanges, and Christopher R¼hr, returning to action after tearing his ACL in January, doubled their lead with a field goal in the first quarter.

India fought back in the second quarter, narrowing the gap with a drag flick from skipper Harmanpreet Singh in the 19th minute, making it 2-1 at half-time. The Germans controlled the third quarter, and Peillat restored their two-goal cushion with another drag flick. However, India kept themselves in contention with Sukhjeet Singh’s diving deflection in the 48th minute. The match ended in a nail-biting finish as India launched a desperate attack in the dying seconds, but Germany’s defense held firm to secure the win.

Germany’s victory keeps their hunt for the FIH Hockey Pro League title very much alive. Despite India's aggressive strategy post-half-time and multiple incursions into the German circle, the German defense, led by Peillat and R¼hr, remained resolute. Next, India will face hosts Great Britain on Sunday, looking to bounce back from this narrow defeat.

German player Moritz Ludwig, named Player of the Match, commented on the challenging conditions they faced: "We were two players down, a really tough game, but we managed to win. We played three down in Oman, so we’re used to it, but it’s always really hard to play with a man down." Ludwig's remarks highlighted the team's resilience and preparation for the Paris Olympics by simulating situations with fewer players.