Hockey: India face crushing 5-0 defeat in first match against Germany

The second match of the series will take place on Sunday.

World No. 3 Germany defeated the Indian women's hockey team 5-0 in their first encounter of a four-match series in Dusseldorf on Saturday. Pia Maertens (10', 14'), Lena Micheel (20'), Pauline Heinz (28') and Lisa Altenburg (41') found the back of the net for the hosts.

The Indian team got off to a great start early in the first quarter by earning a penalty corner only in the second minute. However, the German defensive line stepped up and saved India's shot at the goal. Thereafter, the hosts upped their ante and put extensive pressure on the Indian defence.

They got into great positions and created multiple goal-scoring opportunities. Germany's Forward Pia Maertens put the hosts in the lead with a goal in the 10th minute and then found the back of the net once again in the 14th minute. The teams went into the first quarter break with Germany leading at 2-0.

In the second quarter, the hosts continued to put pressure on the Indian hockey team and earned a penalty corner in the 17th minute. The Indian side saved the penalty corner and counter-attacked immediately. India earned a penalty corner in the very next minute, however, the Germans stood tall and saved India's shot at the goal once again.

The hosts rode on the momentum and took a 3-0 lead in the 20th minute when forward Lena Micheel found an opening and converted it brilliantly. Eight minutes later, they extended their lead to 4-0 after Midfielder Pauline Heinz found the back of the net just before half-time.

The Indian hockey team fought hard and tried to make inroads into the German half in the third quarter, however, the hosts earned a penalty corner in the 40th minute. They continued to put pressure on India relentlessly and took a 5-0 lead after forward Lisa Altenburg struck a goal in the 41st minute.

At the start of the final quarter, India showed fantastic character and put Germany on the back-foot straight away. They earned a penalty corner in the 47th and the 50th minutes, however, the German defence line stood tall and saved India's strikes on their goal. India will take on Germany in their second match on Sunday, 28 February 2021 at 1630 hrs IST.