FIH Pro League: Sukhjeet brace helps India beat Germany 3-2

Riding on striker Sukhjeet Singh's brace, India stunned world champion Germany in a five goal thriller winning FIH Hockey Pro League match 3-2 in the Birsa Munda Stadium here last evening.

India, backed by vociforious crowd, relied on 3 quick goals on either side of the half-time break while Germany pulled two back, but it was not enough as the hosts claimed all three points.

The men in blue had the better of the early exchanges as with the best chance coming through long run from Manpreet Singh from his own 25 to the opposition’s led to a crashing pass into the circle that snuck into the goal, but Gurjant failed to intercept the pass in the circle.

The visitors earned a barrage of penalty corners with 5 minutes left in the quarter but great running from Manpreet combined with a fantastic save by Sreejesh going to his right, kept the Honamas at bay. With both defences looking in good form the teams headed into the end of the first quarter on tied score.