HWL Finals: India goes down fighting against Germany

Catch all the LIVE updates as India locks horns with Germany in the Hockey World League Finals at the Kalinga stadium in Odisha.

India went down fighting 0-2 against Olympic bronze medallist Germany.

India dominated the last two quarters but it was Germany which maintained its possession in the end to come out on top.

End of the fourth and final quarter. Germany beats India 2-0.

Final quarter gets underway

 

5" Both teams plying their trades with caution - Germany happy to keep the ball and India pressing forward while ensuring it doesn't concede another goal!

Last six minutes in the match, India searching for that elusive goal.

India gets a PC with 30 seconds to go.

Third quarter ends: The pressure is on Germany as it tries to stave off a relentless Indian attack. You can't blame the Indians for not trying here - they've given it their all but lady luck's not on their side, not yet. Germany 2 - India 0

Third quarter gets underway

2" India pressing foot on the pedal here as the players show more agility in passing, Germany being made to run a lot!

We've a video referral here. Germany gets a free hit.

7" India clearly the better side in this quarter but Germany continues to cling on to its lead here.

A PC for Germany

And Haner Martin misses by a whisker. Germany so close to scoring its third goal there!!

And now a PC for India! This match has come alive.

9" But poor finishing proving to be India's Achilles Heel once again.

We're now into the dying moments of the penultimate quarter and that opening goal continues to elude the host!

Germany enjoying 68% possession in the first-half, talk about not letting the advantage slip.

Much better play from India in the second quarter - the intent was there but the finishing, not quite. Germany takes 2-0 lead at half-time!

Second quarter gets underway

1" Germany draws first blood!! Captain Haner Martin converst a PC to grab the lead. Germany 1 - India 0

5" And it doubles the lead off a deflection! Mats Grambusch scores for Germany. India under pressure now. Germany 2 - India 0

7" India fights back. A great reverse flick from Mandeep Singh raises hopes, but the attempt is blocked by German keeper Appel Mark!

The host , through its relentless attack, making sure Germany remains on its toes.

12" Great skills from Gurjant Singh, almost opens the acount for the host but once again, finds Appe Mark in his way!

First PC for India , But Rupinder Singh fails to make it count.

First quarter gets underway

 

2" Germany on the attack from the word go, creates the first opening but thwarted by the Indian defenders.

5" India's first attacking run of the night doesn't yield a goal! Meanwhile, the Olympic medallist retaining maximum possession.

8" Amit Rohidas upping the ante here but German defence is up to the task!

10" Bruns Niklas leading the German charge, a great dribble into the Indian half but once again stymied by the opposition defenders.

The last three minutes of the first quarter, and we are yet to see a goal!!!

Meanwhile, India forward Lalit Kumar Upadhyay completes 50 International Matches with tonight's tie against Germany!

At the end of the first quarter, the deadlock remains. India -0, Germany - 0

 

 

Hello and Good Evening!

Welcome to Sportstarlive's LIVE coverage of the Hockey World League Finals.

In the first match of the evening, Australia and England played out a 2-2 draw at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The focus now shifts to the second match of the night, where host India will lock horns with Olympic bronze-medallist Germany.

To know how the two teams stack up in the lead up to the crucial encounter, read our preview here - Hot-and-cold India takes on Germany

India would be hoping to go one better tonight. In its opening encounter against defending champion Australia, the Men in Blue settled for a 1-1 draw. Here's how the action unfolded - India holds Australia 1-1 in opener

And not to forget, the 2-3 loss against England, which makes tonight's clash a must-win for India.

The stadium's packed to the rafters!!! Suffice to say, Germany will have to overcome India's might on the field and a boisterous crowd support off it!

The teams are out for the respective national anthems - Germany's first, followed by India's.

Here's the Indian squad for tonight