The Indian women’s hockey team lost 1-4 to Germany in the first of the two matches against the hosts played at Wiesbaden on Tuesday. Vaishnavi Vittal Phalke (29’) was the lone goal-scorer for India while Nike Lorenz (6’, 59’) and Jette Fleschütz (14’, 43’) scored a brace each in Germany’s win.
The hosts began the match on an attacking note, putting India on the backfoot at the very beginning. They scored back-to-back goals in the first quarter mounting pressure on India’s defence. Germany’s first goal came off Nike Lorenz’s well-executed penalty corner while the team’s second goal came off a penalty stroke via Fleschütz. Though the visitors tried to bounce back when they were awarded a penalty corner in the 11th minute, the chance could not be converted.
However, in the second quarter, India emerged from the early setback with a well-structured game. While they didn’t allow any goals by Germany, they successfully converted a penalty corner in the 29th minute through Vaishnavi.
With the score reading 2-1 at half time, Germany returned to the pitch with a plan to test the Indian defence. While India lived up to the fight, an infringement by India’s defence while halting the German attack in the circle, saw them concede a penalty corner. Fleschütz made no mistake in converting the opportunity and help her team extend the lead to 3-1. Though India found a few chances in the final quarter to score, the German defence was too strong to breach.
Meanwhile, Lorenz scored the fourth goal for Germany in the dying minutes of the game taking the final score to 4-1.
India will play against Germany on July 19 at 9 pm IST.