Indian Women Hockey Team battled hard but went down 1-0 to World No 3 Germany in the second of the four-match series in Dusseldorf, Germany today. This was the second successive defeat for World No 9 India, who were mauled by Germany 5-0 in their first match also in Dusseldorf earlier on February 27.

The series is a part of their preparations for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Two players from Odisha _ defender Deep Grace Ekka and mid-fielder Lilima Minz _ have been given berths in the 18-member India Senior WomenTeam. India will play again on March 2, followed by the last match on March 4.

INDIAN WOMEN TAM: Goalkeepers: Savita Punia (Vice-captain), Rajani Etimarpu. Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Udita, Nisha. Mid-fielders: Nikki Pradhan, Monika, Neha, Lilima Minz, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Salima Tete, Navjot Kaur. Forwards: Rani Rampal (Captain), Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur, Sharmila Devi.
Coaches & Support Staff: Sjoerd Marijne (Chief Coach), Janneke Schopman (Analytical Coach), Ankitha BS (Coach), Wayne Patrick Lombard (Scientific Advisor), Nivedita Chopra (Physiotherapist), Amuthaprakash (Video Analyst), Radhika Bhikan Chaudhari (Masseuse).

RESULTS:
27 Feb, 2021: India lost to Germany (Pia Maertens 10, 14; Lena Micheel 20, Pauline Heinz 28, Lisa Altenburg 41) 0-5.
28 Feb, 2021: India lost to Germany (Amelie Wortmann 24) 0-1.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Odisha and India star defender Deep Grace Ekka in action during a match against Germany in Dusseldorf on 27 February, 2021.