The Indian team maintained their strong form in the FIH Pro League with a dominant 6-3 win against world-champion Germany on Monday at Rourkela's Birsa Munda Stadium. By beating Germany for the second time in three days, Harmanpreet Singh's men climbed to first place in the rankings, accumulating 17 points from seven matches and surpassing Spain via goal difference.
India continued their fair run in the FIH Pro League, registering a comfortable 6-3 win over the world champions Germany to claim the top spot in the standings at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela on Monday. Men in blue recorded their second win over the Germans in three days and the victory helped Harmanpreet Singh-led side to jump to the top of the table with 17 points from seven matches, ahead of Spain on goal difference.
Following an exhilarating 5-4 victory over Australia, India aimed to carry that energy into the next match. They faced an early setback when Tom Grambusch put Germany ahead in the 3rd minute via a penalty corner. India didn't buckle, however, and managed to level the score in the 21st minute. Jugraj Singh delivered a fierce penalty corner shot that went straight down the middle, beating goalkeeper Stadler.
Just a minute later, Abhishek put India ahead 2-1. He capitalized on a misplaced clearance following an Indian aerial scoop, breaking into the circle and firing a shot that the German keeper couldn't stop. The game stayed competitive as Germany quickly answered back; Peillet hit a low drag flick that managed to evade PR Sreejesh, who stretched for the save but couldn't quite reach the ball.
The excitement continued in the 24th minute when Selvam Karthi netted India's third goal. After a brilliant piece of play on the left wing by Gurjant, the ball was whipped into the box, and Karthi provided a clever touch to redirect it into the goal, restoring India's lead in a high-scoring affair in Rourkela.
In the 26th minute, captain Harmanpreet Singh added to the tally, scoring his 11th FIH Pro League goal with a precise shot into the right corner that left Stadler helpless. India headed into halftime with a two-goal advantage. While Germany tried to fight back in the second half—finding a goal through Hellwig on a counter-attack—India remained in control. Karthi scored his second after a defensive error by Grambusch to make it 5-3, and Abhishek sealed the deal five minutes later with his second goal, securing India's third consecutive win.
India is now looking for a perfect run as they prepare to face Australia again in their reverse-leg match on Wednesday, March 15.