In their first match of the FIH Pro League hockey, India defeated reigning world champions Germany 3-2 on Friday. Striker Sukhjeet Singh struck a second-half brace to information his facet to win. The 26-year-old Sukhjeet scored within the thirty first and forty second minutes, each objectives coming from subject efforts. India skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored within the thirtieth minute by way of a penalty nook conversion on the Birsa Munda Stadium.
India had been 3-0 up within the forty second minute earlier than Paul-Philipp Kaufmann and Michel Struthoff struck for Germany within the forty fourth and 57th minutes respectively.
The guests acquired off to a powerful begin with 5 back-to-back Penalty Corners within the tenth minute however India defended all of them. Harmanpreet, who was retained as captain regardless of the sacking of head coach Graham Reid after the World Cup, was top-class in his try, selecting up a superb injection by Hardik Singh to fiercely put it away into the proper nook of the submit, giving India the much-needed 1-0 lead.
Apart from stitching collectively good assaults, with the midfield and ahead line in sync, India made some good referrals that stored the German assault at bay. The guests, although, managed a aim simply earlier than the tip of the third quarter when Elian Mazkour arrange Paul-Philipp Kaufmann to rating.
With the recently-appointed head coach Craig Fulton but to be a part of the workforce, David John was on the helm on Friday, a job he’s anticipated to do within the subsequent three matches additionally.
Following their World Cup loss, India have dropped senior gamers Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, and Amit Rohidas, whereas goalkeeper Krishan Pathak additionally missed due to his marriage ceremony. India will subsequent face Australia on Sunday and can lock horns with Germany once more within the second leg on Monday.
(Inputs from PTI)
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