The Indian men’s hockey team’s tour of Germany got off to a disappointing start on Wednesday, as they fell to a 0-2 defeat in the first Test of their two-match series.
The hosts dominated early on, taking the lead in the fourth minute thanks to a goal from Henrik Mertgens. India struggled to find their rhythm and were unable to create many clear-cut chances in the first half.
The second quarter brought a further blow for the Indian team, as Germany doubled their lead through a well-executed penalty corner goal from captain Lukas Windfeder in the 30th minute.
Despite valiant efforts in the second half, India were unable to break down the German defense and find a way back into the match. The final whistle blew with the score at 0-2, leaving the Indian team facing an uphill battle to level the series.
The second Test is scheduled for Thursday, providing an immediate opportunity for India to regroup and attempt to salvage some pride from the tour. The team will need to find a way to improve their performance and show more resilience to overcome the disappointment of the first match and secure a victory in the final encounter.
