Twice in arrears, and at the receiving end for a major part of the match, India rallied to beat World champions Germany 3-2 and post their first victory from two matches in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament, at the Wagener stadium, in Amsterdam, on Sunday.
The hero of the triumph was none other than Gagan Ajit Singh, who had led India to the junior World Cup triumph in 2001. The hardworking forward first helped India wipe out a first-half goal deficit and then clinched victory with a fine piece of opportunism in the dying minutes.
The Indians looked jaded after yesterday's 3-4 defeat . They were simply lacklustre right through the first half, unable to make an impression on the German goal. In fact, their first shot at goal came only in the 30th minute as the Germans, fielding a development squad, yielded nothing.
Germany started confidently, forcing two penalty-corners in the first five minutes. With India laying more emphasis on defence and Kanwalpreet, Jugraj and Dilip Tirkey playing more withdrawn, the World champions found more space to manoeuvre. And they did not have to wait long to get the scoreboard ticking. A quick move down the middle caught the Indian defence laden footed as Ulrich Klauss laid the ball on a platter for Benedikt Sperling, who turned and hit on the run past goalkeeper Chauhan.
The Indians came by their first chance of the match in the 30th minute, but Gagan Ajit could only manage to deflect a free-hit into the upright.
But the wily forward made amends soon after resumption in the second half, restoring parity in the 41st minute. It was a good piece of understanding among the trio of Pillay, Deepak Thakur and Gagan Ajit. Pillay, who was not allowed any space by the tight marking Germans, relayed the ball to Thakur, who in turn squared for an advancing Gagan, who had the easiest of tasks of walking with the ball into goal past a bemused keeper Christian Schutte.
That was the spark the Indians needed. They immediately stormed the German goal but the prodigality of their forwards inside the circle proved their undoing.
Germany hit back four minutes later to regain the lead. Benjamin Kopp was brought down inside the circle by Viren Rasquinha and from the resultant penalty-stroke Alexander Sahmel made not mistake.
The Indians threw everything into attack and replied to that goal in the 61st minute. Baljit Dhillon worked his way down the left touch line and lifted the ball across the goalmouth, where Prabhjot Singh, at the far post, tapped home.
With time ticking away, India put more men upfront. The Gemans, in an attempt to get another goal, also threw everything into attack. The Indians capitalised on the space allowed and with two minutes to go snatched what turned out to be the winner. Dhillon worked his way into the circle and lifted the ball for Gagan Ajit, who did well to trap the bouncing ball and calmly finish.
After two tough matches, India have a day off tomorrow. They will need to come up with a much better display on Tuesday when they take on Australia.
Match summary:
India: 3 (Gagan Ajit Singh (2), Prabhjot Singh) beat Germany 2 (Benedikt Sperling, Alexander Sahmel)
