TOI Sports Desk
NEW DELHI: The Indian men’s hockey team on Tuesday suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Germany in a nerve-wracking semi-final at the Paris Olympics.
It was a so near, yet so far moment for the Indian team as they missed out on a dream chance to make it to the Olympic final after 44 years.
Playing a spoilsport, Marco Miltkau struck a 54th minute goal in the final quarter to take his side into the lead after both teams were level at 2-2.
In the final moments of the game, India did create a narrow chance to score the equalizer but fate had the other thing coming for the Harmanpreet Singh-led side.
In the dying moments of the nerve-wracking semi-final, the final 8 seconds saw a terrific move from India with skipper Harmanpreet scooping the ball from centre-line accurately just outside the German striking circle.
Waiting for the ball at the striking circle, Shamsher Singh brilliantly collected it and then fired at the German net.
But as luck didn’t have India’s back, the ball agonizingly went over the bar as they lost the golden chance to come up with the equalizer.
With the missed Shamsher shot, the final hooter went up and the Germans were seen celebrating the win.
It was a so near, yet so far moment for the Indian team as they missed out on a dream chance to make it to the Olympic final after 44 years.
Playing a spoilsport, Marco Miltkau struck a 54th minute goal in the final quarter to take his side into the lead after both teams were level at 2-2.
In the final moments of the game, India did create a narrow chance to score the equalizer but fate had the other thing coming for the Harmanpreet Singh-led side.
In the dying moments of the nerve-wracking semi-final, the final 8 seconds saw a terrific move from India with skipper Harmanpreet scooping the ball from centre-line accurately just outside the German striking circle.
Waiting for the ball at the striking circle, Shamsher Singh brilliantly collected it and then fired at the German net.
But as luck didn’t have India’s back, the ball agonizingly went over the bar as they lost the golden chance to come up with the equalizer.
With the missed Shamsher shot, the final hooter went up and the Germans were seen celebrating the win.
Earlier, in the game, India had their chances in the match as they earned as many as 11 penalty corners but converted just one.
Germany, on the other hand, secured only four penalty corners.
India will now take on Spain in the bronze medal match, while Germany will be up against Netherlands in the final.