It was redemption for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team as they defeated Germany 1-0 in the ongoing FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 (Women) clash at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
Deepika (12’) was the sole goal scorer, ensuring India climbed to the seventh spot on the points table.
Deepika’s flawless penalty corner proved to be the difference-maker in this hard-fought battle against Germany, earning her the Player of the Match award!#FIHProLeague #HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame
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.@CMO_Odisha @Sports_Odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @FIH_Hockey pic.twitter.com/qj5zvescrB— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) February 22, 2025
India started the first quarter with a disciplined defensive setup and a proactive high press, matching Germany’s early dominance in possession with attacking intent. In the 12th minute, the hosts won a penalty corner, their best opportunity of the period. Deepika made no mistake, driving her shot into the back of the net with precision to give India the lead. Moments later, Vaishnavi Phalke nearly set up Sunelita Toppo for a deft deflection, but the effort fell short.
The second quarter delivered end-to-end action, with India eager to build on their advantage. Germany found themselves pinned in their own half for the first five minutes, with forward Sophia Schwabe closely marked by the Indian defense. Deepika’s sublime form continued as she sliced through German team with a silky run, weaving her way to the edge of the circle before threading a pass to Sharmila Devi in the 25th minute. However, Sharmila could only direct her shot into the pads of goalkeeper Finja Starck.
On the counter, Germany’s Yara Mandel won the visitors a penalty corner in the 26th minute, but Indian Goalkeeper Savita Punia gloved away Lena Micheel’s low driven shot to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
India remained on the prowl after halftime, immediately earning a penalty corner through Navneet Kaur in the 31st minute. Deepika stepped up once again, unleashing a powerful strike, but the German defense held firm to deny her a second goal.
India were firmly in control of the game, despite Germany holding the lion’s share of possession in the third quarter. A lack of urgency from Germany limited their shots on goal before Germany won two consecutive penalty corners in the 38th minute, but the scoreline remained unchanged.
India were steadfast in their defensive endeavours in the final quarter. An early penalty corner for Germany was derailed as Stine Kurz’s strike was courageously closed down by Sunelita Toppo. In the 47th minute, Schwabe let go of a venomous shot from close, but Goalkeeper Bichu Devi dropped down to deny her, Lisa Nolte fired on the rebound, bur Devi’s reflexes ensured a second save in quick succession.
In the dying embers of the match, Germany moved forward cautiously, stringing a series of passes in search of a breakthrough but the equaliser evaded them as they could not pierce the Indian defence.
India will be in action again when they take on Netherlands on the 25th of February at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar
All the FIH Pro League 2024-25 matches will be streamed live on Jio Hotstar and broadcast on Star Sports Select 2.
