Germany beats India 2-1, wins three-Test series

Down by a first-half goal, Germany came back strongly to defeat hosts India 2-1 in the third and final friendship Test and win the series 2-1 at Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium on Sunday.

Germany won the first Test at Mumbai 1-0, and India levelled the series winning the second at Hyderabad 2-1.

In a fast-paced match backed by a good crowd, it was India who called the shots initially, but poor finishing let them down.

Forward Gagan Ajit singh was the main culprit as he missed nearly four chances, while the Germans after being pegged back in the first half, showed enough resilience in the second and slotted two goals in a space of five minutes to take the stuffing out of the Indians.

However, due credit should be given to the Indian defence, where Dilip Tirkey, Dinesh Nayak and Thirumalvalavan, kept the rampaging German forwards at bay. Indian custodian Jude Menezes too had a busy time under the goal effecting as many as five saves, before succumbing in the last quarter of the match.

After skipper Baljeet Singh Dhillon failed to cash on the opening in the very first minute, Gagan made a mess of a superb pass given by Tirkey from the defence in the 12th minute. With a fine solo, Gagan entered the striking area and was well postioned to score with only German custodian Arnold Clemens to beat. But he bungled hitting the ball straight to the goalkepeer who recovered well to prevent Gagan from taking the rebound after effecting a feeble save.

However, India struck the first blood seven minutes later, when Deepak Thakur hoisted the lead off a pass from Gagan. Deepak showed enough knack in tapping the ball home following a goal-mouth melee.

The success came in as a source of inspiration as India attacked well. Dhillon, Prabjoth Singh and Gagan were never short of passes as Bipin Fernandes, Lazarus Barla, Baljeet Singh Saini and S S Gill manned the midfield well. But it was poor finishing that led to India's defeat. Gagan messed up another chance in the 23rd minute before Jude Menzes in the other end came up with a superb save for the second time of a penalty-corner hit by Michel Bjorn.

After change of ends, India came close to increasing the lead but Gagan again was found wanting near the goal-mouth. Baljeet Singh Dhillon did the spade-work and crossed to an unmarked Gagan, but the latter hit straight to Clemens. A few minutes later, luck deserted India as Gagan's rasping shot from the top of the circle, hit the post.

Thereafter it was Germans all the way as they attacked with verve. Substitute Florian Keller lent admirable support to Sascha Reinelt and Bjorn in the attack and Wess Timo and Bjorn Emmerling played their role to perfection with timely clearances in the half line.

After thwarting the German forwards on many a occasion, The Indian citadel finally fell when the Germans drew level in the 57th minute through Oliver Domke, whose reverse flick five minutes earlier was saved by Jude Menezes. Of the fifth penalty corner, Sascha switched the ball to Domke to provide the finishing touches.

The Germans struck five minutes later to gain the lead when Bjorn secured the lead with an immaculately executed shot from the top of the circle. Wein Christisan from the left relayed the ball to Bjorn who tapped it well at the top of the circle and banged home. Jude reacted a trifle late and was comprehensively beaten by the pace of the shot.

The Indians nearly held the lead, before the twin strike dashed their hopes.

With swift counterattacks India did pose a problem or two for the German defence and forced three penalty corners in the second half, including two in the last six minutes, but the visitors held on gamely to emerge victors.

UNI