IND vs GER Hockey Highlights: Germany defeated India 2-0 in the first match of the highly anticipated India vs Germany Bilateral Hockey Series 2024 starts at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on October 23.
This series marks the long-awaited return of international hockey to the capital after a decade, rekindling the passion of fans and players alike. But the hosts failed to secure a win as Henrick Mertgens and captain Lukas Windfeder scored one goal each.

IND vs GER Hockey Live Updates
With this, we bring an end fo this live blog. See you tomorrow for the second and final game.
Team India will look to come better prepared for tomorrow's game as they have been defeated by a second-string German side. The Indians had 7 penalty conversion chances but failed to convert any. Germans on the other hand had just three PCs and converted one.
Full Time! Final hooter blows and Germany defeat India by 2-0. Mertgens and Windfeder scored one goal apiece for the visitors. The second match between the two sides will be played at this venue at 3PM tomorrow. We will bring you the live updates of the match tomorrow, stay tuned.
With 20 seconds remaining, India take a video referral in their last bid to get a penalty corner but in vain.
40 seconds to go, Sanjay tried another shot at the goalpost but the German goalie denied him any success.
2 minutes to go to the full time and India are still 0-2 down. The Germans are keeping it tight into the middle even PCs are hard to come by now.
56'! Krishan Bahadur Pathak walks out as there are just four minutes to full-time. India are playing with 11 players as they desperately need to score.
The final quarter begins! Team India have stepped into the middle with more intensity as they are catching up as they are trailing by a difference of two goals. The Germans, however, are controlling the game by keeping the possession. The crowd - which has come out in good numbers - are cheering the home side.
End of the third quarter in New Delhi. Both teams had their chances in this tightly contested 15 minutes but none failed to score. However, Germany still lead India 2-0. India got two PCs while Germany had one chance.
42'! Germany get their third PC of the game on the counter-attack and Pathak does well to save this one.
41'! India get the sixth penalty corner of the match and first in the third quarter. Harmanpreet takes back-to-back shots but the German defenders and goalkeeper Joshua has been rock solid.
Third quarter begins at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi. Team India have their task cut out now. They've counter-attacked a lot in the second quarter but failed to find any breakthrough.
Goal! Germans convert the PC and their lead now extends to 2-0. Their captain Lukas Windfeder scores this time.
30'! Germany get a penalty corner after a long gap and that too at the stroke of half time.
GOAL Denied!!! India get the equaliser in the 28th minute. The hosts reviewed PC appeal and the TV umpire ruled in their favour. Dilpreet - the comeback man - scores for India after a couple of misses on the shot but the Germans reviewed it and the decision was overturned. India get a penalty stroke and captain Harmanpreet Singh takes it. Shockingly, the skipper fails to send the ball into the goalpost. Good save by goalkeeper, Joshua Onyekywue Nnaji.
IND 1-1 GER.
25'! Fourth PC for India. This time Harmanpreet takes the shot and India are rewarded another PC. The Indians failed to covert the next PC as well. 5 PCs for India so far, no success so far. Indians have been more attacking in the second quarter and the Germans are facing the heat.
24' !!! Opportunity missed! This time Amit Rohidas takes the shot. Captain Harmanpreet Singh and coach Craig Fulton definitely have come up with a different strategy, i.e. reduce PC conversion dependency on Harmanpreet.
23'! Team India get the third penalty corner of the match. Will they be able to convert it?
22'! India get a penalty corner - their second of the match - and captain Harmanpreet Singh - who is the best drag-flicker of the game - let Sanjay take the shot, who failed to convert.
Missed! 18'! Sanjay made a circle entry from the right and tried to pass towards his teammate who failed to collect it on time.
2nd quarter begins and the Germans have again started on a dominant note. The Indians are having more possessions and making entries into the second half.
End of the first quarter! Germans lead India 1-0 after the first 15 minutes. Indians had a couple of close chances but they failed to convert it. Sukhjeet failed to convert a penalty corner and Dilpreet made a good circle penetration but failed to get a clearance. The Germans have been better defensively in the Q1 and slightly lucky as well.
9'! India get their first penalty corner of the match Sukhjeet Singh takes the duties of conversion but to connect. A mix up in the circle while collecting the ball denies India an equaliser.
7'! Germany get a penalty corner but India take a referral and the video umpire rules in India's favour. No penalty. Game resumes
Henrik Mertgens, jersey number 30, scores the first goal for his team. The Germans have started aggressively and the hosts are struggling to take the ball into the second half.
Hello and welcome to the live blog of the match between India and Germany at the National Stadium in New Delhi. Sorry for the delayed start. The Germans have cleared their intentions early and scored a field goal within five minutes of the first quarter. GER 1-0 IND.
Our starting XI to face Germany in the first PFC India vs Germany Bilateral Hockey Series! 🏑
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 23, 2024
Show your support and send your best wishes by dropping a 💙 in the comments below! Let’s hear it for Team India! 💪🇮🇳#IndiaKaGame #PFCINDvGER #HockeyIndia #GermanyTourOfIndia… pic.twitter.com/p6dJfdbbvX
The last international fixture at this historic venue was the Hockey World League Final in January 2014. With India and Germany renewing their rivalry on the same field, the series promises to be an intense contest. The two teams have met 19 times since 2013, with India winning eight matches and Germany seven-testament to the closely contested nature of their battles.
Germany, the reigning World Champions and silver medalists at the Paris 2024 Olympics, will aim to assert their dominance. However, India is determined to avenge their narrow 3-2 loss to Germany in the Olympic semi-finals and use their recent form, including their Asian Champions Trophy triumph, to full advantage.
For Indian Head Coach Craig Fulton, this series holds personal significance. The South African tactician, who made his international playing debut at the same stadium during the 1995 Indira Gandhi Gold Cup, now returns as India's coach-bringing his journey full circle. "It's a special feeling to come back to the place where my international career began nearly three decades ago," Fulton shared. "To guide the Indian team here, in front of passionate home fans, is an incredible moment of pride and reflection."
Fulton also praised the German team's tactical prowess: "Germany is a tactically astute team with excellent man-to-man marking. We'll need to adapt our strategy throughout the game. Playing against such a smart side is always challenging, but we relish these encounters."
Captain Harmanpreet Singh echoed similar sentiments, expressing his joy at playing an international match in Delhi for the first time. "The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium holds a special place in my heart," said Harmanpreet. "I spent countless hours training here during my junior camp in 2013, and it's a homecoming of sorts for me. The energy of the crowd and the history of this venue make this occasion even more meaningful."
Speaking on the challenge Germany presents, Harmanpreet added, "The intensity will be just like Paris, but every match teaches you something new. Our focus will be on reading their structures and adapting swiftly during play."