FIH Pro Hockey League 2022: Indian women’s team lose in penalty shootout
The Indian women’s team lost to Germany in a thrilling encounter played at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhuvneshwar on Saturday.
It was a perfect start for the hosts as Navneet Kaur provided the final touch in the 4th minute to give India a 1-0 lead. Soon after,
Germany earned two successive penalty corners. The 2nd PC was
converted by Sippel from a rebound shot in the 5th minute to level
the scores at 1-1. Both team's defenses were rock solid. Nisha went out for 2 minutes
getting a green card. Germany put enough pressure on the Indian defense with
penalty corners but did not yield any results. At the end of the first quarter,
scores remained 1-1.
The second quarter saw Germany dominating the possession,
but the Indian defense showed great skills to deny goals for visitors. Germany's
defense also remained rock solid with good attacking by the Indians. Monika
produced a superb reverse flick shot but it was very well saved by the German
goalkeeper. At the end of the first half, scores remained 1-1. Germany
dominated the circle penetrations with 13 as compared to 8 by India. The
visitors also earned 3 penalty corners as compared to 0 by the hosts.
India got off to an aggressive start in the 3rd
quarter but the finishing of Deepika and Monika could not grab the chance. Soon
after, Germany earned a penalty corner, but Savita got a touch and then Udita
cleared the shot. India was awarded their first PC of the match due to violation
of 5 M and 2nd penalty corner. Gurjit Singh's shot went wide off the
goal. Despite some good attacking play by both teams, scores remained 1-1 at
end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter began well for India with a penalty corner,
but the German defense was solid as Monika took the shot. Indian team put enough
pressure on the opposition but could not convert chances into goals. India was
awarded a penalty corner, but Germany reviewed the decision, and it was
overturned. The match ended with a scoreline of 1-1 with the match going into a shootout.
It was a closely fought encounter as Germany circle penetrations
were 22 as compared to 21 by India. India earned 3 penalty corners in the match
as compared to 4 by Germany.
In the penalty shootouts, Germany missed the first attempt
as well Sharmila Devi also missed the chance. Heinz scored a goal after Savita's saves
but a rebound shot made it 1-0 for Germany. Navneet Singh converts shot into a
goal to level scores at 1-1.
Strauss converted the shot for Germany to make it 2-1. Neha
took the shot but was awarded a penalty stroke. Sushila did the job, but
Germany reviewed for drag-flick. Germany retained the review. Savita produced a
superb save to deny the visitors a goal. Both Germany and India missed their
last shots.
Germany held on to win the match 2-1 in penalty shootouts.
It was an amazing effort by both teams, but the inexperienced German team held on
to their nerves. Both teams will play the 2nd leg tomorrow.
Indian women lose to Germany in the first match of Pro Hockey League 2022 at Bhuvneshwar
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