New Delhi: India looked hurt and it showed in the way they reacted after two consecutive defeats to almost beat Olympic Champions Germany before conceding a late goal that allowed the Germans to draw the match at 3-3 in the last game of the pool phase at the Hockey World League (HWL) Final here at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Germany managed to draw level every time India took lead under lights on a chilly Monday to finish third in Pool A with four points. India stood last with just one point and will face Pool-B toppers Australia in the quarter-final, where Germany will take on Netherlands. The tournament format allows all eight teams to play the quarters irrespective of the results at pool stage.
The fast-paced game saw India taking lead in the 19th min off an own-goal by the Germans. Skipper Oliver Korn then managed to equalise in the 24th minute with a field effort. But Rupinderpal Singh's penalty-corner conversion in the 33rd ensured India went into the break leading 2-1.
The fourth goal of the game came off an India stick but in their own goal, which once again allowed Germany to make scores even. Dharamvir Singh broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute to make it 3-2. The Indian defence then relaxed a little too early, which saw Thilo Stralkowski scoring the decisive goal with two minutes remaining on the clock.
There was a lot more purpose about everything India did on Monday. The forwards looked more sharp, the defence a lot tighter and the midfield dictated play much more efficiently.
It was Raghunath's hard push into the German circle that drew first blood as the ball took deflection off a German stick to beat goalkeeper Tim Jessulat who had already made a couple of saves to deny India.
Korn's neat deflection then made it 1-1 five minutes later. But India didn't relent and kept attacking which resulted in a penalty corner two minutes from half-time. Rupinder stepped up and beat a diving Jessulat to his right with a hard grounder.
Second half began on a similar note, though Germans didn't hurry into their moves and came close to equalising in the 41st minute through Luong Nguyen but his reverse attempt couldn't beat Sreejesh. An own goal seconds later though brought Germany level once again.
By now Sardar was well in control and showed vintage stuff when he beat three players in a solo run from half-line before passing to his right where Dharamvir collected it neatly. He found Yuvraj Walmiki in the circle but his cheeky deflection went over the crossbar.
India earned another PC in the 52nd minute. This time it was Raghunath's turn for an aerial flick which was saved on the line but went straight to Dharamvir who tapped the ball into the goal for 3-2.
India almost got themselves a cushion when an unforced error gave them possession. Sunil passed to Sardar, who weaved his way into the striking circle and tried a diving reverse that was saved by Jessulat. The ricochet went to Sunil but he shot it wide of the mark.
Just when India looked to be heading to a morale-boosting win before the quarter-finals, the defence crumbled, allowing Stralkowski a way through and he hushed the crowd with a clean strike two minutes from the final hooter.
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