The Indian men's hockey team were guilty of wasting their penalty corner chances as they were beaten by Germany 2-0 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Harmanpreet Singh and co. didn't get going in the first of the two-match series and missed out on converting as many as seven penalty corner chances while the Germans scored two in the first half which was enough for their win.
The opening goal came in the fourth minute as India failed to clear the ball multiple times. Eventually the ball fell to Henrik Mertgens who converted the chance from the centre of the circle.
India couldn't create much in the opening quarter but upped the ante in the second. They played better hockey and created penalty corner chances, In fact, it seemed Dilpreet Singh equalised after converting a rebound from a penalty corner but the goal was not given and instead the TV umpire recommended a penalty stroke.
Harmanpreet stepped up to take the stroke but it was superbly saved by the German keeper Joshua Onyekwue Nnaji. There was no doubt that the Indian captain was having a bad at the office as he couldn't convert any of his dragflick chances.
Meanwhile, seconds before the break, Lucas Windfeder doubled the lead thanks to his dragflick. The ball hit an Indian defender on the line before rolling into the goal.
It was expected that India would push to reduce the deficit after the break but Germany maintained their control over the proceedings. They played to their strengths -- high press and relentless attacks from both the wings. They were also solid defensively and didn't allow India to create chances in the second half.
India removed their goalkeeper with more than five minutes to go in the final quarter but even then couldn't put the Germans under pressure.
The second and final match of the series will be played on Thursday at the same venue, it will begin at 3 PM.
You can follow the match on our blog below.