Indian Women’s Hockey Team’s Struggle continues in FIH Pro League

The Indian women’s hockey team, despite a spirited performance, suffered a 2-4 defeat against Germany in the FIH Pro League. This marked their seventh consecutive loss in the tournament, extending their losing streak.

India’s flurry of losses at FIH Pro League

The match started on an attacking note from both sides, with India earning a penalty corner in the second minute. However, they failed to capitalize on this early opportunity. Despite this setback, the Indian team, ranked ninth in the women’s hockey rankings, continued to press and put the German backline under immense pressure.

This pressure paid off when Sunelita Toppo scored her first international goal with a powerful shot, giving India a deserved lead. Just before the end of the first quarter, Vandana Katariya and Deepika combined for a brilliant counter-attack, culminating in the latter finding the back of the net.

In the second quarter, world No. 3 Germany pressed hard to get back into the match but India absorbed the pressure well while counter-attacking effectively. Germany, however, managed to score through Viktoria Huse, who converted a penalty corner with a precise and powerful shot to pull one back for her team.

The Germans finally drew level through Viktoria Huse’s goal, once again from a penalty corner. Deepika then had a significant opportunity to put India ahead when she broke into the circle during a counter. With only German goalkeeper Lilly Stoffelsma to beat, the Indian forward misfired her reverse shot and squandered the chance.

The fourth quarter saw India win an early penalty corner but they couldn’t make the most of it. Germany converted from the penalty corner for the third time in the match to edge ahead. Stine Kurz found the back of the net through a well-placed shot before Jule Bleuel scored a field goal to extend the European team’s lead.

With time running out, India replaced their goalkeeper to allow for 11 outfield players but that didn’t make any difference as the match ended 4-2 in favour of Germany. The Indian women’s hockey team will lock horns with Great Britain in their final FIH Pro League 2023-24 match on Sunday.

This series of losses comes after India had lost all four matches against Belgium and Argentina in Antwerp last month and then succumbed to defeats against Germany (1-3) and Great Britain (2-3) here last weekend.

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