Hockey: India go down fighting to Germany

London: The India men's hockey team put up a brave fight before going down 1-2 against reigning Olympic champions Germany to slump to their third consecutive defeat in the four-nation test event ahead of the upcoming London Olympics here on Saturday.

Erstwhile champions India kept the mighty Germans on their toes throughout the 70 minutes at the River Bank Arena here, but conceded a late goal to return winless from the league stages. Contrary to the result, it was India who took the lead in the 15th minute through a field goal from striker Shivendra Singh.

Jolted by the goal, the Germans pressed hard and got the equaliser 12 minutes later through Christopher Wesley (27th) to go into the breather locked at 1-1. In no mood to give an inch to the other team, both India and Germany played cautiously after the changeover but failed to break the deadlock till the 65th minute.

India lost 1-2 to Germany in the four-nation test event ahead of the upcoming London Olympics.

It took a blinder of a goal from Florian Fuchs to pocket the win for his side and secure Germany's place in Sunday's final.

India had earlier lost 0-3 to Australia and 2-4 to hosts Great Britain in their opening two games. The Indians will now face either Great Britain or Australia in the third-fourth place play-off game on Sunday.

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