Indian outclassed Germany 3-0 in the first of their double-leg match of the FIH Mens Hockey Pro League at Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar today. Penalty Corners once again proved to be greatest ally for India as they converted three of their six opportunities from the set pieces.

Harmanpreet Singh got the first two goals in the 17th and 26th minutes, taking his season tally to 16 goals, with player of the match Abhishek scoring the third goal by getting a deflection on another Harmanpreet penalty corner attempt in the 45th minute.

With this win, India further consolidated their place at the top of the table with 24 points from 11 matches. They have won seven and lost two so far.

Led by Odisha defender Amit Rohidas, India started the first quarter on the front foot looking to exploit gaps in the German defence and mid-field early. They had plenty of opportunities, primarily through Shilanand Lakra and Abhishek who were electric all game, but the German defence was resolute.

The first penalty corner of the game went to India and it was Jugraj who took it, but the German defence closed him down before he could get his shot away, ending the quarter at 0-0.

India kept up the pressure after the restart and if anything, their attack was even more dominant in the second quarter. A mazy run by Manpreet Singh resulted in the second penalty corner for India and this time it was Harmanpreet who took the shot and he blasted it to the bottom right corner, leaving the post defender and Stadler with no chance of stopping the powerful shot.

Germany had a chance to get a goal back right away from the restart, as a powerful cross into the circle caught Rohidas out, and his attempted block left the ball at the stick of Wolff with just the Indian keeper to beat, but his shot went off target and India regained their composure.

Two minutes before the half ended, India got another penalty corner after an attempted clearance by Glander hit the back of his stick. Once again India went to Harmanpreet as Jugraj was off the field, and despite the ball stopping in an awkward position for him, he dragged it close to him and sent a low shot to the bottom left corner of the goal, doubling the lead for the home team.

The third quarter felt like a repeat of the first as India continued to press and look for a third goal that could seal the game for them, while the German defence, led by captain Martin Zwicker continued to hold steady. Just as the teams looked ready to go into the final quarter with the game still very much open, India got themselves a penalty corner with one second left on the clock and they did not fail to convert it.

Harmanpreet again went low to the left and Stadler looked like he had it covered, but Abhishek got his stick  right in front of Stadler, and the ball deflected into the opposite side of the goal, giving the German keeper and his defence no chance of stopping it.

With a three-goal lead in the fourth quarter, India started to slow the pace of the game down. They still were on the front foot, but no longer needed to force the issue. Germany had big stretches of possession in the quarter, but they often looked to find an Indian foot in the circle, but the Indian defence, were excellent at keeping their sticks low and avoiding any foot contact inside the circle. India ended the match without conceding a single penalty corner in a clinical performance in attack and defence.

Abhishek was awarded as the Player of the match. India and Germany will be back in action tomorrow at the same venue for the final match of the Indian leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League Season 3.
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PHOTO: Indian players celebrate after scoring a goal against Germany during their FIH Pro League match in Bhubaneswar on 14 April 2022.