India hammer Germany 3-1 (Photo by Hockey India)
India ended their Women’s Hockey World Cup campaign on a high, beating Germany 3-1 in the fifth-sixth place classification match to secure their best-ever finish at the tournament in 52 years. India entered the final quarter with a commanding 3-0 lead and defended it with discipline. India held on for a 3-1 victory, securing fifth place and completing a memorable campaign. The result marks India’s best World Cup finish since their fifth-place effort at the inaugural 1974 edition.
The contest at Wagener Hockey Stadium was tightly fought in the opening half, with neither team able to find the breakthrough. Germany had the better share of penalty-corner opportunities, but their execution lacked precision. The match changed dramatically in the third quarter. India finally broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when Ishika was played through and produced a composed reverse-lift that beat Starck. Savita made two important saves in the closing stages, but Germany eventually pulled one back in the 59th minute when Krings converted a rebound.