FIH Pro League: Indian men turn the tables on Germany, score 1-0 victory

The Indian men’s hockey team defeated reigning world champions Germany 1-0 in the FIH Pro League 2024-25 fixture at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

It was a good response from India after they had succumbed to a 4-1 loss to Germany on Tuesday. The Indian defence, marshalled by Captain Harmanpreet Singh, put in a solid display to secure an important win.

India's agressive start

India’s Gurjant Singh scored the only goal of the match while Amit Rohidas was declared the player of the match.

Craig Fulton’s team, who lost to Germany 1-4 on Tuesday, was off to an aggressive start.

Rajinder Singh sent the ball into the circle hoping for Mandeep Singh to put it into goal. Mandeep’s effort was saved by Alexander Stadler but the German goalkeeper did not clear the loose ball away. An unmarked Gurjant dove in to sweep the ball into the empty goal.

FIH Pro League | Gurjant Singh does the trick for India on Wednesday night.#FIHProLeague #Hockey @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/mP89txgfp1

— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) February 19, 2025

The Germans had their chance to equalize with a penalty corner towards the fag end of the first quarter, but the hosts were quick to respond.

For the next two quarters, both India and Germany had their openings but the scoreboard remained in favor of India. Harmanpreet Singh-led side kept possession and earned two back-to-back penalty corners but found it hard to breach the German defense.

India deployed a half-court press as they looked to protect their lead and pounce on any German mistakes.

The visitors, too, had their fair share of penalty corners.

Germany nearly got the equaliser as Thies Prinz showcased his incredible 3D skills to beat his markers. Krishan Bahadur Pathak stood tall and swatted away Prinz’s attempt before Florian Sperling scooped the loose ball over the goal.

With India leading 1-0, the final quarter promised more attacking approach from both the teams.

India resorted to sitting deeper in their half and forcing the Germans to try and find ways to penetrate the circle. Suraj Karkera, who replaced Pathak in the Indian goal in the second quarter, was rarely called into action.

It was India who had the better chances from counter attacks as Shilanand Lakra, Nilam Sanjeep Xess and Raj Kumar Pal tested Stadler. India won three penalty corners in the final minute but the German defence made sure they went into the break trailing only by the solitary goal.

Germany's counteroffensive

Germany began the third quarter with more urgency and it needed an instinctive save from Pathak to deny Prinz a goal in the 32nd minute. Pathak was called into action a couple of minutes later as he denied Peillat a penalty corner with a superb save with his foot.

India had a big chance to double their advantage towards the end of a cagey third quarter. However, Stadler pulled off an incredible double save to deny Sukhjeet Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad.

The Indian defence was tested early in the fourth quarter as Germany won a penalty corner in the 46th minute. Karkera did well to save Peillat’s drag-flick. India won a penalty corner two minutes later but Amit Rohidas sent his drag-flick wide.

The Germans went all in with four minutes to go, earning four back-to-back penalty corners, and resting goalkeeper Alexander Stadler to get an extra player on the field. The Indians held their nerves and finished the match.

The World Champions won a penalty corner with four minutes to go but captain Harmanpreet successfully used India’s review to reverse the decision.

Germany took off Stadler soon after for an additional outfield player as they hunted for a late equaliser. The Germans won four penalty corners in a row only to be thwarted by a resolute Indian defence led by Karkera.

In the end, India held their nerves to keep Germany at bay and win their second match of the season.

The Indian men’s team will take on Ireland on Friday.