India Falls Short Against Germany in Hockey, to Contend for Bronze Again at Paris 2024

For the second consecutive Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team will vie for a bronze medal after a narrow defeat to world champions Germany in the semi-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday.

Ranked fifth globally, India seized the early initiative with Harmanpreet Singh converting a penalty corner in the seventh minute. Germany, ranked second, quickly responded, with Gonzalo Peillat equalizing in the 18th minute and Christopher Ruehr putting them ahead in the 27th minute.

India, the bronze medalists from Tokyo 2020, drew level again through Sukhjeet Singh’s goal in the 36th minute. However, Marco Miltkau’s strike in the 54th minute sealed Germany’s place in the final, leaving India to battle for bronze.

India will face World No. 8 Spain, who were defeated 4-0 by the Netherlands in their semi-final, in the bronze medal match.

At Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, India started strong, earning a penalty corner within two minutes. Harmanpreet’s effort was saved by German goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneebrg, while India’s PR Sreejesh saved an attempt from Miltkau.

India maintained pressure throughout the first quarter, with Harmanpreet Singh scoring his eighth goal of the tournament to lead the scoring charts. Germany began the second quarter effectively, equalizing through Peillat’s penalty corner.

Missed opportunities marked India’s second quarter, with Abhishek and Lalit Upadhyay failing to convert key chances. Germany capitalized on a penalty stroke awarded following a penalty corner, with Ruehr giving them a 2-1 lead before halftime.

Early in the second half, Hardik Singh narrowly missed an equalizing chance, but Sukhjeet Singh soon leveled the score by deflecting a Harmanpreet penalty corner.

The third quarter saw cautious play from both sides. In the final quarter, Sanjay’s goal-line block kept India in contention. Germany, however, regained dominance, with Miltkau’s goal six minutes before the end proving decisive. India removed Sreejesh for an extra attacker, defending a high-pressure penalty corner successfully, but missed crucial chances to equalize.

Sukhjeet Singh and Shamsher Singh were unable to convert last-minute opportunities, preventing the match from going to a penalty shootout. India had previously reached the semi-finals by defeating Great Britain in a shootout.

Defender Amit Rohidas was absent due to a one-match suspension from the quarter-final against Great Britain.

India previously triumphed over Spain 3-0 in the group stage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with goals from Rupinder Pal Singh and Simranjeet Singh, en route to their bronze medal.

The bronze medal match will take place at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Friday.