India left behind the memories of their opening two defeats against England (0-2) and New Zealand (1-3) and dished out a much-better display to hold the world number one opponents to a draw at the floodlit Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Unilke their previous two games, the Indians looked far more organised and coordinated against the reigning Olympic champions and were the better side throughout the match. If not for a late defensive lapse from skipper Sardar Singh, India could have pocketed full three points from their final Pool A game. Thilo Stralkowski saved Germany from defeat by slotting home from close range in the 68th minute after Sardar failed to make an easy clearance inside the circle. Unexpectedly, the Indians were the better side on display in the first half and dominated the share of possession. The Indian midfield and the forwardline combined to create a number of opportunities, which were missing in the first two games against England and New Zealand.
The defence, which is India’s perennial problem, too lived upto the expectations to deny Germany any major inroads at least in the opening 35 minutes. India pressed hard and got the first scoring opportunity in the 12th minute when they earned their first penalty corner but the German goalkeeper Tim Jessulat was upto the task to deny V R Ragunath. The Germans were not to be left behind as four minutes later they earned their first penalty corner but Indian custodian P R Sreejesh came up with a fine save to deny Thilo Stralkowski.
Australia top Pool B
Earlier, an impressive England spanked New Zealand 5-1 to finish on top of Pool A while Australia thrashed Argentina 6-1 to emerge as leaders in Pool B. Irrespective of the result, it was New Zealand who had the first promising scoring opportunity in the match when Phil Burrows won the ball in the circle and his shot missed the net by centimetres. Both teams played expansive and open hockey but solid defending resulted in few shots on goal in the opening 25 minutes.
Both the teams worked hard but failed to break the deadlock till the 30th minute when England surged ahead through Ashley Jackson who converted his side’s second penalty corner. World No. 4 England doubled their lead in the 44th minute from yet another penalty corner conversion from Jackson.
World champions Australia took the initiative in the first half by scoring four goals as against Argentina’s one. The Kookaburras set out their stall early on as Dean Beale (3rd minute) stole possession and slotted home a reverse stick goal. After Beale’s opener, Mark Knowles (11th) scored from a penalty spot after a foul in the circle. Kieran Govers (14th) extended Australia’s tally with a well taken shot from wide of the goal. Australia pumped in their fourth goal in the final minute of the first half through Govers with a penalty corner strike.
Unilke their previous two games, the Indians looked far more organised and coordinated against the reigning Olympic champions and were the better side throughout the match. If not for a late defensive lapse from skipper Sardar Singh, India could have pocketed full three points from their final Pool A game. Thilo Stralkowski saved Germany from defeat by slotting home from close range in the 68th minute after Sardar failed to make an easy clearance inside the circle. Unexpectedly, the Indians were the better side on display in the first half and dominated the share of possession. The Indian midfield and the forwardline combined to create a number of opportunities, which were missing in the first two games against England and New Zealand.
The defence, which is India’s perennial problem, too lived upto the expectations to deny Germany any major inroads at least in the opening 35 minutes. India pressed hard and got the first scoring opportunity in the 12th minute when they earned their first penalty corner but the German goalkeeper Tim Jessulat was upto the task to deny V R Ragunath. The Germans were not to be left behind as four minutes later they earned their first penalty corner but Indian custodian P R Sreejesh came up with a fine save to deny Thilo Stralkowski.
Australia top Pool B
Earlier, an impressive England spanked New Zealand 5-1 to finish on top of Pool A while Australia thrashed Argentina 6-1 to emerge as leaders in Pool B. Irrespective of the result, it was New Zealand who had the first promising scoring opportunity in the match when Phil Burrows won the ball in the circle and his shot missed the net by centimetres. Both teams played expansive and open hockey but solid defending resulted in few shots on goal in the opening 25 minutes.
Both the teams worked hard but failed to break the deadlock till the 30th minute when England surged ahead through Ashley Jackson who converted his side’s second penalty corner. World No. 4 England doubled their lead in the 44th minute from yet another penalty corner conversion from Jackson.
World champions Australia took the initiative in the first half by scoring four goals as against Argentina’s one. The Kookaburras set out their stall early on as Dean Beale (3rd minute) stole possession and slotted home a reverse stick goal. After Beale’s opener, Mark Knowles (11th) scored from a penalty spot after a foul in the circle. Kieran Govers (14th) extended Australia’s tally with a well taken shot from wide of the goal. Australia pumped in their fourth goal in the final minute of the first half through Govers with a penalty corner strike.