In a sport during which India had generated seven penalty corners and one penalty stroke, the aspect’s inefficient ending noticed them lose 0-2 to Germany on the Main Dhyan Chand Stadium. Head coach Craig Fulton believes the aspect did play effectively however the missed probabilities ‘got here again to burn’ the house aspect. “We weren’t fluid up entrance. We created sufficient probabilities, in order that was good, we created sufficient penalty corners, but when you don’t take your probabilities then it comes again and burns you and it was to not be upfront on Wednesday and hopefully, we’ll get a outcome tomorrow,” mentioned Fulton after the match.
“We performed effectively till that part (Germany’s opening objective) and even within the second quarter we did rather well, created 4-5 corners, had one or two alternatives however for those who do not take your alternatives then Germany will pounce,” Craig informed IANS post-game.
Henrik Mertgens (4′) and Lukas Windfeder’s (30′) two first-half targets had been sufficient to seal victory for the guests. Germany dominated early, as Mertgens capitalised on a unfastened ball to beat Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak. Regardless of India’s efforts to counter, they had been unable to transform their probabilities, with Varun Kumar lacking an important penalty nook.
Within the second quarter, India utilized extra strain, incomes three penalty corners, however failed to attain. A penalty stroke supplied a golden alternative, however German goalkeeper Joshua Onyekwue Nnaji blocked Harmanpreet Singh’s shot. Simply earlier than half-time, Windfeder doubled Germany’s lead with a robust penalty nook strike.
The third quarter noticed India intensify their assaults, however Nnaji remained resolute in objective. Germany additionally posed threats with fast counters.
Within the ultimate quarter, India continued their possession sport however struggled to create clear probabilities, ending the match with no objective. Germany’s protection held agency to seal the win.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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