India’s nationwide hockey group was again on dwelling turf after heartbreak on the Paris Olympics, internet hosting Germany for a two-match bilateral collection in New Delhi’s Main Dhyan Chand Stadium.
The group fell to a 2-0 loss within the first match in opposition to the Germans, because the guests fell to a fourth-minute purpose after which a late second quarter purpose. India created a number of probabilities, however had been unable to transform as their guests held on robust to maintain their noses forward.
There was a heartwarming second following the top of the match, nevertheless, as India’s gamers took a second with the house followers regardless of the loss. India skipper Harmanpreet Singh was interacting with followers within the stands, and even took a second to take a child from a guardian who had come to observe the group play at Dhyan Chand Stadium.
The lovable video sees Harmanpreet take the newborn in his arms and play with it for just a few seconds, earlier than climbing up onto a chair and returning the kid again to the daddy, who could be heard thanking Harmanpreet for the memorable second.
India search revenge in opposition to Germany
Harmanpreet, who has been captain of the Indian group since 2022 however has been established as one of many best drag-flickers on this planet, was one of many heroes of the group’s run to the bronze medal within the Paris Olympics this yr.
He completed because the top-scorer of the lads’s match throughout all groups, hammering in 10 targets. Out of those, seven had been from penalty corners, the place he’s thought of a specialist, whereas three had been from penalty strokes.
Nevertheless, there was a component of heartbreak as India fell to a slim 3-2 loss in opposition to Germany within the semifinals in a back-and-forth sport the place they couldn’t take their alternatives. They returned to defeat Spain within the third-place match to safe a second consecutive bronze medal on the Olympics.
India returned for matches on dwelling turf for the primary time in 8 months, final having performed a set of FIH Professional League matches in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela in February this yr. Most just lately, they ran out victors within the Asian Champions Trophy match in China, beating their hosts within the finals to seal a fifth victory in that match.
India and Germany will wrap up their collection with a second match on 24 October, as soon as once more in Delhi, with Harmanpreet and co. trying to equalise on dwelling turf.
