Women Hockey Olympic Qualifier – India lost to Germany in shootout

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Ranchi, , Here on Thursday, in the final of the Women’s FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier, the Indian women’s hockey team scored a goal one minute before the end of time to tie Germany at 2-2, but despite taking a lead of 2-1, it ended in a sudden death shoot-out. She couldn’t keep her patience and lost 3-4. India will play Japan in the third place match on Friday and if they win, they will get a ticket to Paris Olympics. Germany joined the United States in the final, with both teams booking entry into the Olympics. Although the Indian team put up a great fight, it failed to maintain its composure in the tiebreaker. Savita defeated Linnea Weidemann in the shoot-out. K’s first attempt was saved, but Sangeeta Kumari showed a cool head to put India ahead 1-0. Sonja Zimmerman converted the next attempt, Sonja’s effort was ruled out with seconds remaining. Savita’s next attempt was headed by Anne Schroder, but India could not take advantage, as Navneet Kaur was stopped by the US goalkeeper, but The shot was missed in the retake and India led 2-1. For Germany, Nike Lorenz and Lisa Nolte took the next two attempts but Neha missed her shot and the team remained tied 3-3 in five attempts. In the sudden death shoot-out, Sangeeta Kumari missed her attempt and Sonja Zimmerman hit her shot. The try was challenged by the Indians as the ball settled across the line. Sonika missed the next attempt and Lisa Nolte converted it to seal Germany’s victory. Earlier in the stipulated time, India’s situation was looking bad when Charlotte Steppenhorst scored in the 57th minute to give Germany a 2-1 lead. Whereas earlier he had canceled India’s lead by converting Deepika’s brilliant penalty corner. With a few seconds left on the clock, Ishita Chaudhary scored a goal from a penalty corner to make the score 2-2. But in the end that fight was not enough to give the hosts victory. Germany started aggressively and were awarded a penalty corner on the first attack. However, the Indians defended well to deny them. The Indians made some attacks, but could not get into the circle. With sharp attacks from Neha, Vaishnavi and Salima Tete, the Indians entered some circles, but were thwarted by the German defence. Two minutes before the end of the first quarter India attacked strongly and won a penalty corner when the ball hit the leg of a German defender. Deepika, the lone drag-flicker in the team, scored with a brilliant drag-flick to the right of the goalkeeper to give India a 1-0 lead as time approached towards the end of the first quarter. India launched a brilliant attack in the first minute of the second quarter. Did, but Sangeeta Kumari’s attempt was stopped. The Indians maintained their lead in the second quarter with Salima Tete, Navneet Kaur, Vaishnavi and Sangeeta making some good runs through the German defence, but they could not break through for the second goal. Contrary to the run of play, Germany scored in the 27th minute. They equalized when they entered the Indian circle and Charlotte Steppenhorst took advantage of the opportunity to make the score 1-1. The score remained like this till the half time break. Both teams made sporadic runs at both ends of the pitch till the final third. They continued to search for their second goal, but the defenders of both teams were on good form. For India, Nikki Pradhan, Udita and Monica were solid as always and fought for every ball. Despite conceding one goal, captain Savita remained strong as always. She dodged a number of attempts brilliantly as she dodged her defenders. Germany dominated the third quarter and had some strong attacks towards the end of the period, when Nira Horn fired a fine attacking shot into the side netting as Indian defenders failed to stop her from taking the shot. Vaishnavi made it to the final third in the fourth quarter, but was stopped by Pauline Selile, injuring herself after colliding heads with players in the process. India had a chance, When Neha ran in the circle and gave an inside pass to Deepika. But Deepika’s high effort was saved by goalkeeper Julia Sonntag. A minute later, India were reduced to 10 players when Salima Tete was shown a yellow card. She then conceded a penalty corner for a foul on an American forward. Heinz’s push for the first battery was passed by Nike Lorenz to Sonja Zimmerman but the Indians made a good save. The Indians had a chance at the other end of the pitch when Sangita got into the circle, but Selin Oruz did well and saved well. A defence-splitting pass left Charlotte Steffenhorst unmarked inside the circle and she fired past the goalkeeper. The Indian team made some necessary attacks, but its attempt to get a penalty corner was not successful as the Germans defended strongly. However, the penalty was awarded due to a foul by German defender Emma Davidsmeier inside the circle. Found the corner. Deepika’s first effort was dangerously blocked, but Ishika Chaudhary found herself in the right position to take the rebound after injecting a retaken penalty corner. India leveled the score at 2-2 with just a few seconds left in the clock, sending the match into a shoot-out tie.–IANS

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