Olympics qualifiers: India shot down by Germany, to face Japan for Paris berth

PTI

Ranchi, January 18

The Indian women’s hockey team fought with determination but lost its nerves in the most crucial phase of the penalty shootout, going down to Germany in the second semifinal of the FIH Olympic Qualifier here today.

The match was stretched to a penalty shootout, which Germany won 4-3 in sudden death, after the teams were tied at 2-2 in regulation time. With this win, Germany secured a berth in the Paris Olympics. India will have another chance to seal a berth if they beat Japan in the third place match tomorrow. World No. 5 Germany will take on the USA in the final.

Deepika (15th minute) and Ishika Chaudhary (59th) were the goal-scorers for India in the regular time, while Germany’s both goals were scored by Charlotte Stapenhorst (27th, 57th).

As expected, the Germans came out attacking from the onset and exerted continuous pressure on the Indian defence on a foggy night, where visibility was a problem. Just 55 seconds from the end of the first quarter, India secured their first penalty corner and Deepika slammed home with a powerful drag-flick to stun the Germans.

Lack of coordination from the Indian midfield and inability to clear loose balls cost the hosts dearly as Germany equalised three minutes from half-time when Stapenhorst scored from a field effort.

The Germans continued their relentless efforts after the change of ends but the Indian defence stood tall. Eventually, it became too much to handle for the Indian defence as Stapenhorst scored her second goal to stun the capacity crowd. The Indians, however, did not give up and secured back-to-back penalty corners in the 59th minute, the second of which was put into the goal by Ishika from a rebound, forcing the match into the shootout.

“We will discuss it again. We need to give time to the disappointment,” India coach Janneke Schopman said. “We have to rest tomorrow morning and I know they will be ready. Some of them are already ready but we need some time,” she added.

“They get a little bit impatient and when they get impatient... but I can’t always blame them for it. It was great that we could manage a large part of the game today. I know we can play but we have to show up and have to keep fighting. We don’t have a guarantee tomorrow. Japan also wants to go to Paris, so we have a fight in our hands,” she added.

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