Hockey
FIH Pro League: Indian women come a cropper against Germany
This was the fourth straight loss for the hosts as Sophia (2), Amelie and Johanna scored for the visitors.
The Indian women’s hockey team lost their fourth straight match as Germany beat the hosts 4-0 in the FIH Pro League at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
Germany’s Sophia Schwabe (2), Amelie Wortmann and Johanna Hachenberg contributed to the team’s win as the Indian women were pushed to the bottom of the table to be placed ninth.
India aimed to secure crucial points and improve their standing in the tournament but just three minutes in, Germany's Hanna Granitzki’s pass from the right flank was converted by Amelie Wortmann making their intent clear.
A lot was at stake for the Indian women as they were expected to go full throttle.
The Indian forwards did try to generate momentum when Sharmila Devi passed to Neha, who charged and took a shot expecting Navneet Kaur or Dung Dung Beauty, present in the opponents circle, to give it a finishing touch. That was the closest the Indians came to scoring.
This maneuver was followed by numerous errors from the Indian defenders inside the circle that awarded Germany four penalty corners in the first quarter. The Germans, however, did not capitalize.
India’s Sharmila and Sakshi did try to exchange quick passes on the right flank, but the German defense was compact and quickly doused the danger.
FIH Pro League | The India women take a pounding at the hands of Germany on Friday night.#hockey #FIHProLeague @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/Y0ZY2chMCr
— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) February 21, 2025
As rain started to pour, Sophia Schwabe took a shot to give her team a two-goal cushion. She employed a reverse hit and scored again in the 39th minute.
Germany were now 3-0 up.
An angry Indian coach, Harinder Singh, lamented at his players when speaking to the broadcasters, “They have to step up and change their mentality. They have too much respect for their opponents.”
India did return with more attacking intent and kept pressing for a goal but Johanna Hachenberg added another goal in the last minute to finish the game.
Germany moved two spots on the points table to be placed seventh.
The Indian women started their campaign in style with a 3-2 win over England before drawing the next match 2-2 against the same opponent. Against Spain, India lost both its matches 3-4 and 1-0.
The Indian women will play Germany again on Friday.
