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New Delhi: The Indian men's hockey team's homecoming to the national capital was a disappointing one as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Germany in the first of two bilateral matches on Wednesday. The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, hosting an international game after a decade, witnessed a crowd of nearly 10,000 on a weekday afternoon, eager to witness a competitive clash between two Paris Olympics medal contenders. However, the Indian team's performance left much to be desired.The hosts started brightly but ominous signs were evident from the outset. A visible lack of energy and intent plagued the Indian team, while the Germans, with their characteristic efficiency, capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 4th minute. Henrik Mertgens, one of three debutants in the German side, scored the opening goal off a counter-attack.Germany could have doubled their lead four minutes later, but a penalty corner was overturned after a referral, resulting in a penalty corner for India instead. However, Varun Kumar failed to keep his balance, and Sukhjit hit the rebound wide. Just 14 seconds before halftime, Germany earned their first penalty corner, and captain Lucas Windfeder made no mistake, slotting it past Suraj Karkera to extend the lead to 2-0.India had ample opportunities but failed to capitalize. Seven penalty corners, a penalty stroke, and several half-chances went begging. Varun, Amit Rohidas, and Sanjay were experimented with during penalty corners, suggesting that coach Craig Fulton is looking to develop a battery of drag-flickers instead of relying solely on Harmanpreet Singh. The captain himself had an off day. A penalty stroke, awarded after Germany appealed against Dilpreet Singh's opportunistic tap-in in the 27th minute, saw Harmanpreet's weak push saved by Joshua Nnaji Onyekwue, despite the German Junior World Cup winner diving to the wrong side.Onyekwue was impressive throughout, making several saves to keep the Indian attack at bay. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Germany maintaining their defensive dominance and preventing India from scoring.

India's Olympic Bronze-Winning Hockey Team Falls to Germany in First TestIndia's Olympic bronze-winning hockey team suffered a disappointing 0-2 defeat to world champions Germany in the first Test of their two-match series on Wednesday. The match, held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, marked the first international hockey match at the venue since 2014.Germany, who are the reigning Olympic silver medalists, fielded a young team for the series. However, the young Germans proved their mettle, with Henrik Mertgens scoring the opening goal in the 4th minute. Captain Lukas Windfeder doubled Germany's lead in the 30th minute, giving the visitors a comfortable 2-0 advantage.Despite the loss, India showed glimpses of their potential, particularly in the second half. The hosts created several scoring opportunities but were unable to convert them. Germany's defense, led by goalkeeper Alexander Stadler, stood firm and denied India any chance of a comeback.The second Test of the series will be played on Thursday, and India will be eager to level the series. The match will be a crucial test for the Indian team as they prepare for the upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League and the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup.

The Indian men's hockey team is set to host reigning world champion Germany in a two-match bilateral series at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The matches, scheduled for October 23 and 24, mark the return of international hockey to the capital after a decade.India, now a two-time Olympic medalist and ranked fifth in the world, will face a formidable challenge in Germany, who finished second at the recent World Cup in Paris and are ranked second in the global standings. The series promises to be a close contest, with both teams boasting talented and experienced players.Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh will lead the charge, with Vivek Sagar Prasad serving as his deputy. Youngsters Rajinder Singh and Aditya Lalage are set to make their international debuts, while defender and drag-flicker Varun Kumar returns to national duty after a long break.Coach Craig Fulton expressed his excitement about the upcoming matches, noting the significance of playing at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, where Indian hockey experienced a resurgence 14 years ago. He acknowledged the team's injury concerns but emphasized the opportunity for young players to prove themselves."It's unfortunate to have injuries, but it's also an exciting chance to test against the No. 2 in the world," Fulton said. "From now till the World Cup and then on to LA28, the selections will again open up chances for the guys to prove themselves."Germany, meanwhile, will field a mix of experienced and up-and-coming players. While some members of their World Cup squad are absent, the team includes several players from their Under-21 World Championship-winning side.The series is expected to provide valuable preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. India will be eager to continue their recent success, while Germany will aim to prove their status as one of the world's top hockey nations.

International hockey returns to New Delhi after a decade-long hiatus as India, the Olympic bronze medalists, face off against world champions Germany in a two-Test bilateral series starting Wednesday. The matches, to be held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, mark a significant revival for the sport in the capital.The last international match played at the stadium was the 2014 Hero World League Final, leaving a void in the city's hockey scene. The upcoming Tests against Germany, ranked second in the world and silver medalists at the Paris Olympics, promise to reignite the passion for hockey in Delhi.Over 12,000 fans have already registered for free tickets, indicating the immense anticipation for the event. The series holds great importance for Indian hockey, which has witnessed an upswing with consecutive Olympic bronze medals.In Paris, India narrowly lost 2-3 to Germany in a thrilling semifinal. The Tests provide an opportunity for revenge and a chance to test new faces. However, Germany remains a formidable opponent, having displayed their resilience in Paris, losing only in a shootout to the Netherlands in the gold medal match.Despite Germany's higher ranking, India has an edge in recent encounters, winning three of the last five matches. The Indian team boasts a mix of youth and experience, with notable inclusions like defender and drag-flicker Varun Kumar, who returns after a sabbatical.Star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh will lead the Indian charge, while Vivek Sagar Prasad will serve as his deputy. Mid-field mainstay Hardik Singh remains absent due to injury. Newcomers Rajinder Singh and Aditya Arjun Lgale will make their international debuts.Striker Mandeep Singh, rested for the Asian Champions Trophy, will aim to impress alongside Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, and Dilpreet Singh. Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera will guard the Indian goal, having proven their worth in the ACT after PR Sreejesh's retirement.The two matches offer a platform for newcomers and returning players to showcase their abilities and stake their claim for future selection. The series promises to be a thrilling spectacle, rekindling the spirit of hockey in Delhi and providing valuable experience for the Indian team as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Indian men's hockey team, fresh off their historic bronze medal performance at the Tokyo Olympics, will face off against hockey powerhouse Germany in a two-match bilateral series at the iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on October 23 and 24.The last time these two hockey giants clashed was in the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics, where Germany emerged victorious with a narrow 3-2 margin. India, however, went on to secure the bronze medal by defeating Spain in the third-place play-offs.Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his excitement for the upcoming series, stating, "This bilateral series against Germany will be a remarkable showcase of world-class hockey. Both India and Germany have a rich history in the sport, and this series will give fans an opportunity to witness an intense competition between two of the most formidable teams in the world.""We are honored to host this event, which will not only promote the spirit of hockey but also strengthen the bond between the two nations," added Tirkey, a former India captain.Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh echoed Tirkey's sentiments, saying, "The India-Germany hockey rivalry has always been a thrilling contest. Our players are eager to compete against such a good side, and I believe this series will offer both teams a chance to fine-tune their skills and strategies ahead of future international tournaments.""We are proud to be part of this Indo-German collaboration, which brings together not just business and diplomacy but also the love of sport," Singh added.German Hockey Federation President Henning Fastrich expressed the national team's anticipation for the challenge. "India has always been a special place for hockey, and our team is excited to play in front of passionate Indian hockey fans. This series will be a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the sporting ties between Germany and India while offering both teams a competitive platform to prepare for upcoming global events.""We look forward to the challenge and the experience of playing at the historic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium," Fastrich concluded.The India-Germany bilateral series promises to be an exciting spectacle for hockey enthusiasts, showcasing the skills and strategies of two of the world's top hockey nations.