India have been dealt a blow even earlier than they stepped on the sector to face Germany within the FIH Professional League. Captain Harmanpreet Singh, India’s MVP on the Olympics final yr, was dominated out with a wrist damage. And his deputy Hardik Singh, who arguably performed the best match of his profession within the semifinal towards Germany in Paris, too joined Harmanpreet within the stands on account of health points.
With them within the Indian workforce, Germany needed to huff and puff their method to a win on a scorching Parisien day. With out the influential duo, the Olympic silver medallists steamrolled India, who suffered their heaviest defeat to Germany in virtually a decade, shedding 1-4.
Florian Sperling (7’), Thies Prinz (14’), Michael Struthoff (48’) and Raphael Hartkopf (55’) scored for Germany whereas Gurjant Singh (13’) was on course for India.
It was one other recreation the place India’s penalty corners assault drew a clean — one thing coach Craig Fulton mentioned was ‘not regular’ and he was ‘not pleased’ about. However the story tonight wasn’t simply concerning the flicks flying vast or being saved. Fulton mentioned ‘rhythm’ was one of many points however on Tuesday, India appeared to overlook Hardik’s exact, speedy injections as near a dozen penalty corners they earned counted for nothing.
Hardik’s contribution, in fact, goes a lot past simply injections. He binds the workforce collectively, makes them tick and brings power within the play that few others can match. With out him, India seemed listless — identical to within the 2023 World Cup knockout match towards New Zealand.
Manpreet Singh tried to fill in however with the remaining having an off day, the previous captain was left with an excessive amount of to do by himself.
Fulton mentioned Harmanpreet and Hardik have been rested as a precaution and are more likely to begin towards Germany on Wednesday as the 2 sides go face to face for one final time this season.
