Standing teary in the middle of the field with fellow goalkeeper Bichu Devi, India captain Savita cut a forlorn figure as Germany booked a spot in the final of the Olympic Qualifiers and a ticket to Paris with a 4-3 win in sudden death after being tied 2-2 in regulation time in the semifinals.
The Indians had started as underdogs against a team that has made it to every Olympics since its debut in 1984 with everything including track record and rankings against the host. But despite stretching their fancied opponents all the way, India will now play Japan in yet another must-win game for the third place and the last remaining Olympic spot here after USA won 2-1 in the other semifinal.
While the numbers might say India had more possession, Germany dominated on field. India was on the backfoot for large periods, conceding a penalty corner in the very first minute that was overturned on referral. But the speed and attacking play seen in the last two games was missing. A PC in the last minute of the 1st quarter saw Deepika strike through Julia Sontag’s legs to put India ahead but thereafter, instead of building on it, the Indian team went defensive, allowing Germany space to keep pressing hard.
