Champions Trophy : Fighting India go down to Germany

Hosts India went down 1-0 to Germany courtesy a last minute winner from Florian Fuchs in their opening Pool B match of the Hero Champions Trophy at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. Indian goalkeeper P R Sreejesh put up an impressive show between the sticks and it was only because of him that the deficit margin was so less. Sreejesh made innumerable saves to keep the Germans at bay, who were in total control and dominated the game and was even declared the man of the match for dedicated performance under the bar.

India began on a positive note and put the nine-time Champions trophy winners under pressure from the word go. At one point, it looked as though the resilient Indian side could hold the mighty Germans to a draw as match went on goalless till the 59th minute. But an error of judgment in the final minute cost Sreejesh and India, a point, as Florian Fuchs was quick to pounce on the opportunity and score the winner. Sreejesh rushed to tackle an onrushing Fuchs but mistimed his jump and allowed the German striker to turn the ball around Sreejesh before putting it into the net with a reverse hit just 34 seconds from the final hooter.

The victory moved the Germans to the top of the table and would surely boost their morale as they face the Netherlands next. The hosts meanwhile would need to get their act together as they Argentina next.

[author image=”http://www.aapkatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Anurag.jpg” ]I am Anurag Sharma pursuing bachelor in Journalism and Mass Communication from Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Management Studies, Delhi. Football is like a religion for me and one day I wish to become a sports journalist. [/author]

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