After a thrilling win against New Zealand, the Indian women's hockey team faced defeat against Germany on Thursday in the semifinals during the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi.
The winner of the FIH Qualifiers will secure a confirmed position at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Indian team will next face Japan on Friday which is a do-or-die match, they will secure their place at the Summer Olympics if they win the bronze medal.
India's Deepika (15') gave them the lead, but Germany's Charlotte Stapenhorst (27', 57') scored. Ishika Chaudhary (59') tied the score with a late goal resulting in a shootout, which the Germans won 4-3. Germany was the first to attack and looked more and more formidable as the game went on. With captain Savita Punia in goal, the Indian defense stood firm and successfully thwarted the German attacks, including two penalty corners.
India gained momentum in the game through left-side attacks. They got their first penalty corner at the end of the first quarter. Deepika scored a strong drive past German goaltender Julia Sonntag, delighting the enthusiastic Ranchi audience.
India scored a goal in the second quarter, but Germany scored a goal in the third. Both teams enjoyed possession, but the third quarter ended 1-1. Both teams played end-to-end games, with numerous scoring opportunities, but goalkeepers made crucial stops.
Charlotte Stapenhorst scored a steal in a crucial game against their competitors, but India responded fiercely, earning two penalty corners and a game-winning goal from Ishika. Despite Savita Punia's outstanding saves, India lost 3-4 at the end.
