Düsseldorf
The Indian junior men’s hockey team went down 2-3 against the hosts Germany at the 4 Nations Tournament-Dusseldorf 2023.
Sudeep Chirmako (7′, 60′) scored a brace for India while Michel Struthoff (41′), Ben Hasbach (53′), and Florian Sperling (55′) were on target for Germany on Saturday night.
Entering the match fresh off a 6-2 victory over Spain, India jumped out to an early lead as Sudeep Chirmako (7′) struck the back of the nets to give India the lead in the seventh minute of the match. Despite Germany’s attempts to cover the deficit, India managed to maintain their lead by the end of the first quarter.
While Germany searched for the equaliser in the second quarter, India too showed their intent to find another goal to consolidate their lead. But both teams defended well, and India went into halftime maintaining their 1-0 lead.
The second half started with Germany showing urgency to get their opening goal of the match, but India managed to defend well.
In the 53rd minute, Ben Hasbach (53′) put Germany ahead, scoring the second goal for his side and two minutes later, Florian Sperling (55′) further extended Germany’s lead, scoring the third goal. Sudeep Chirmako (60′) scored a late goal at the stroke of full time, but Germany managed to win the match 3-2.
The Indian junior men’s hockey team will meet England in their next match in the tournament on Monday.