FIH Hockey Pro League: India defeats Germany 3-0 in the first leg

There were quite a few memorable moments in the match. Within the regulation time, Harmanpreet Singh in the 18th and 27th minuter and Abhishek in the 45th minuter were the goalscorers for India, while none of the players from Germany was able to score. Harmanpreet Singh carried on with his good, giving an exceptional performance again.

The match started with Shamsher Singh getting injured early into the first quarter. Both teams started aggressively, trying to get an early lead. India had a lot of possessions but failed to convert any opportunities into a goal early on.

The Indian squad maintained their composure in the second quarter of the match as Harmanpreer opened the scoring for India with a brilliantly taken drag flick which sent the ball into the lower right corner of the goal.

The first half ended with Germany failing to take even a single shot or getting any penalty corners. The Indian side completely dominated Germany over all aspects of the game.

India got a penalty corner in the last minute of the third quarter. Harmanpreet took the shot, passing the ball towards Abhishek, who sent the ball into the goal with a simple deflection, increasing the lead to 3-0 for the Indian squad. The fourth quarter indeed without any goals scored by either side, giving India a 3-0 victory. Germany got some quality experience, and India won comfortably, taking full advantage of the corners.

India maintained their lead at the top of the charts with 24 points in 11 matches, while Germany is trailing at the second spot with 17 points in nine matches played.

Both teams will lock horns again in the second leg of the match at Kalinga Stadium on April 15.