The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Germany takes honours

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 19, 2004

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Germany takes honours

DUSSELDORF, JULY 18. India's bid for an international title ahead of the Olympics received a rude jolt, as it was held to a 3-3 draw by Germany, which was eventually declared winner of the DSD four-nation hockey tournament here on Sunday.

For India, which led 2-1 at half time, Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh and Gagan Ajit Singh scored.

India, which has not won a single international title since its Afro-Asian Games victory in November last year, played aggressively and gave the world champion a run for its money.

The visitor was also let down by some shoddy umpiring as two strokes were awarded against it at crucial junctures in the second session.

As both the teams tallied seven points each (two wins and a draw), Germany bagged the title — its second in three weeks — by virtue of better goal difference 12-5 as against India's 10-3.

Germany had won the four-nation tournament in Amsterdam early this month, where it beat India 4-0.

India was a determined lot and its mid-fielders troubled the rivals. The forwards functioned well and displayed good coordination.

The tall and sturdy Germans were taken by surprise with the speed and agility displayed by the Indians.

It was umpires and misfortune which deprived India the title. After Gagan Ajit Singh scored the third goal, India held on to the lead, frustrating all German attacks.

Just as it seemed India would clinch the match, a penalty stroke was awarded against them in injury time, enabling the host to equalise.

However, the Indians emerged moral victors with their showing. The defenders, midfielders and forwards clicked superbly which augurs well.

Meanwhile, Germany beat Great Britain 3-1. The scorers for Germany were Bjorn Michel (4th), Christian Wein (27th) and captain Florian Kuntz (49th), while Britain scored through Danny Hall (6th min). — UNI

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