India drew with Germany in an exciting 3-3 draw in the first match of FIH champions trophy held in London yesterday. The Indian team played excellent hockey in the entire match but Germany held their nerves and scored the equalizer.
In the first quarter, Germany started on a positive note earning the first penalty corner in 2nd minute but it did not yield any result. In the 3rd minute, Germany called for a review but the decision was changed. In 3.55 minute India missed a chance as German goalkeeper saved a field goal. In the 7th minute, India earned a penalty corner and Raghunath converted the penalty corner into a goal to give India 1-0 lead. In 7.40 minute Sreejesh made an excellent save. Both teams played excellent hockey. At the end of first quarter, India led 1-0.
The second quarter began off on a positive note for India as they earned a penalty corner in the 2nd minute but Raghunath the hit shot well wide. In 2.26 minute SV Sunil scored the goal but the umpire called for a review as the ball hit SV Sunil foot. In the next few minutes, P Sreejesh made excellent saves deny German team goal. In the 10th minute, Germany earned two back to back penalty corners. The Germany team scored from the second one as German striker made it 1-1. In the next few seconds, India countered attacked as SV Sunil passed to Mandeep Singh to give India a 2-1 lead. At the end of second quarter, India led 2-1.
In the third quarter, India began off well earning a penalty corner in the 2nd minute. Harmanpreet Singh converted the penalty corner into a goal to give India 3-1. In the 6th minute, Germany earned their 3rd penalty corner of the match and the goal scorer of the first goal reduced the gap to 2-3. In the next few minutes, Germany earned two back to back penalty corners but it did not result in any goals. Before the end of 3rd quarter, SV Sunil played an excellent solo game as the shot went wide of the goal post. At the end of 3rd quarter, India led 3-2.
In the 4th quarter, Germany earned their fourth penalty corner but India reviewed the decision. The decision stood as India lost their review. Germany could not convert the penalty corner into a goal. In the 9th minute, India earned a penalty corner but it was well saved by German goalkeeper. In the 11th minute, Germany earned a penalty corner. The penalty corner was awarded as a penalty stroke. Golmol scored the goal to equal the score at 3-3. India got the best chance when Akashdeep tried to score but it was not enough. At the end of the fourth quarter, the score was level at 3-3.
India plays their next match on Great Britain tomorrow