German U-21 Women’s Hockey Team defeats India to ride into Lal Bahadur Shastri Hockey Tournament
Following a competitive show, Germany’s Junior Women’s field hockey team edged out India by 2-1, securing a place in the finals of the 22nd Lal Bahadur Shastri Under-21 Four Nation women's hockey tournament. The crucial match was played at the
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in India, on November 11.
The host team displayed a wonderful show in the start, emerging victorious over New Zealand in the first match, while managing a draw against Australia in the second fixture.
However, it failed to uphold its great form, losing to Germany in the crucial match of the tournament. By giving way to the defeat, the Indian Junior Team also missed the chance to play in the finals of the four-nation event.
German Coach, Marc Herbert, termed the victory a great achievement. In his view, the German girls were lucky to become victorious against India.
Coach of the Indian Junior Team, Col. BK Subramani, was of the opinion that his team failed to uphold the intensity of the previous games.
He stated, “We have been together only for about three months now. The more they train together and get exposure, the better they will become. I am disappointed with the result but not with the showing of our team”.
Despite the fact that the Indian team started the game quite impressively, it did not sustain the level of the game.
In the 8th minute mark, the Indian team found a chance when its skipper, Poonam Rani, was alone in front of the goal. However, she hit a shot straight in the hands of the German goalie.
Jaspreet Kaur in the 12th minute mark converted a penalty stroke, putting the Indian team ahead of Germany by 1-0.
However, the edge of maiden goal did not develop the spirit in the Indian team that was necessary for winning the match.
From other side, Laura Saenger was at her best, scoring two goals in the 35th and 38th minutes, respectively.
The duo failed to add more goals to their credit in the remaining time-period and match concluded with Germany coming out victorious by 2-1.
Germany’s Junior Women’s Team will take on New Zealand in the finals of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Four Nation tournament, on November 12.
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