Last minute goal seals fate, India beaten 3-2 by Germany

Monchengladbach, Sep 6 (UNI) India's campaign started on a poor note as Christopher Zeller's dying minute goal spoiled their party and Dilip Tirkey's side went down fighting 2-3 to hosts and defending champion Germany in the opening match of the hockey World Cup here today.

The way the Indians played in the second half, they did not deserve to lose but again luck deserted them at crucial moments.

The visitors, who looked patchy in the first session, gave the hosts a good run for their money in the second but could not prevent them from running away with full three points.

The Indians, who trailed 0-1 at half time, played their heart out after breather and had the Germans at their mercy in the second session. But all their splendid work went up in the smoke as Germany snatched a last minute victory.

For the winners, Christopher Zeller (2) and Oliver Hentschel (1) scored, while Shivinder Singh scored a brace for India.

After an uneven showing in the first 35 minutes, India were a transformed side in the next session and they raised the hockey to a high level. Suddenly, flanks flared up and the midfielders looked threatening and it was in the 51st minute that India forced their first penalty corner.

Kanwalpreet Singh's shot hit the onrushing Bjorn Emmerling leading to the second penalty corner and this time, after attempts by Kanwalpreet and Gagan Ajit Singh, Shivinder struck the equaliser, much to the surprise of the German defenders.

German counter followed soon and they forced their second penalty corner in the 61st minute and this time Oliver Hentschel sent the ball home to put the hosts in the lead again (2-1). The Indians fought back gamely and shocked the partisan fans with an superb equaliser in the 64th minute when off an Ignace Tirkey move, Shivinder sent the ball home.

But their joy was shortlived as just before the final hooter the defending champions struck, taking advantage of the confusion in the Indian defence and Zeller struck, ending India's hope of a World Cup start with a point.

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