India miss chances aplenty vs Germany, finish bottom of table
LACKLUSTRE Rupinder Pal Singh, Harmanpreet make a mess of penalty corner conversions; Germans convert two
BHUBANESWAR: Despite fielding their best two penalty corner experts, Rupinder Pal Singh and Harmanpreet Singh, India missed plenty of opportunities as they went down 2-0 to four-time Olympic gold medallists Germany in their last league match. The second successive loss, following the one against England, resigned them to the bottom of Pool B. While Rupinder once again shot the ball straight to rival keeper, who parried it easily, Harmanpreet’s attempts were cleared by the defenders.
Germany controlled the proceedings from the start and dictated terms at the packed Kalinga Stadium on Monday. Though they couldn’t score in the first quarter, they didn’t allow Manpreet Singh and Co to play freely.
The only real chance for India in the first quarter came in the 14th minute when Chinglensana Kangujam’s hit from the left flank but didn’t find anyone at the goalmouth to push the ball home. Otherwise, it was the same old story as India missed shots and failed to keep possession.
The Germans, meanwhile, were right on target. Leading from the front, captain Martin Haner converted the team’s first penalty corner in the 17th minute, before midfielder Mats Grambusch struck a field goal in the 20th minute (2-0). Indian defenders, especially Dipsan Tirkey, showed some pluck, pushing the Germans in the second and third quarters. However, the forwards never looked in control and allowed the ball to go out of their possession on a number of occasions.
World no 5 Germany finished top in the Pool B with seven points, followed by England (4 points), Australia (3 points) and India (1 point). India are likely to play Pool A toppers Belgium in the quarter-finals.
The Belgians wind up their pool stage against Netherlands on Tuesday. In the other match of the day, Argentina take on Spain. ENGLAND-AUS DRAW World Cup silver-medallists England survived four penalty corners in the last minute to hold World No 2 Australia to a 2-2 draw in their last league match here.
The 60-minute duel between the two sides was probably the best so far in the 10-day event in terms of pace and goals.
Despite trailing 1-2 at the break, England midfielder Barry Middleton told his side to give fans back home a reason to cheer, especially when they were at the receiving end in cricket Down Under.
Liam Ansell and Phil Roper scored for England, while Wotherspoon and Blake Govers found the net for Australia.
England dominated the proceedings from the beginning, not allowing rivals to hold possession even in the midfield.
Before the three-time Olympic silver medallists Australia could find their feet, Ansell shot the first one for England from the left flank in the fourth minute.
This shook Australia, who started to press hard. However, a well-calculated England defence kept a check on the rivals’ vanguard.