India vs Germany in Paris 2024 Olympics: Player ratings for Harmanpreet Singh & Co. from narrow loss in semis
The Indian men's hockey team played their hearts out but eventually conceded a 3-2 defeat to World Champions Germany in the Paris 2024 Olympics semifinal. If they had won, the Indian team would have reached an Olympic final for the first time since the 1980 Moscow Olympics. But that wait will continue.
In a complete change of strategy, the Indian team gave up its defense-centric approach and played an aggressive, high-press style. This led to positive results as India took the lead in the seventh minute in their usual manner - Harmanpreet Singh converting a penalty corner.
However, the Germans fought back and scored two goals in the second quarter despite India doing most of the attacking. PC specialist Gonzalo Peillat used his drag flick to good effect in the 18th minute and Christopher Ruehr capitalized on a penalty stroke in the 27th.
India leveled the score after the half-time break, with Sukhjeet Singh deflecting a Harmanpreet drag-flick into the post in the 36th minute.
However, Germany dominated the fourth quarter with more possession and attacks. It culminated in their match-winning goal, which came in the 54th minute. Marco Miltkau deflected a cross into the circle to seal the game for his team.
India fought hard in the remaining six minutes and created scoring opportunities but they didn't come to pass. India will now play Spain for the bronze medal on August 8.
To further understand what went on in the match, here are the player ratings for the Harmanpreet Singh-led side from their semifinal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Player ratings for India from Paris 2024 Olympics semifinal vs. Germany
Jarmanpreet Singh - 6/10
Jarmanpreet is a very dependable player but in this match, he committed a couple of crucial errors that cut down his marks. His attempted interception of an overhead pass in the Indian circle led to a penalty corner, which was converted into a goal.
He can't be blamed for conceding a penalty stroke as the postman has to get lucky to have a drag-flick hit his stick and not the body. In the end, it was a mixed day for the tall defender.
Abhishek - 6/10
Abhishek needed to step up in this match as India played an attacking and high-press mode. While he had some good moments in the match, he wasn't able to drill through the German defense, something that proved costly for India today.
Manpreet Singh - 6/10
Manpreet wasn't as prominent today as before but didn't commit too many errors also. However, he could have done more, especially in retaining possession in the fourth quarter for his team.
Hardik Singh - 8/10
With India giving up its defense-centric approach for this game and going into aggressive mode, Hardik's full potential was unleashed. His stickwork and dribbling skills in the match were delightful to watch. It was Hardik's efforts that gave India the upper hand in the first half.
Gurjant Singh - 5/10
Once again, Gurjant wasn't as prominent in the team's play as he should have been.
Mandeep Singh - 6/10
Mandeep tried hard to impose himself on the game. Whenever Germany went into high press, he put pressure on the full-backs and didn't allow them to pass the ball around easily. However, being a marksman, he should have managed to score some field goals for India today.
Harmanpreet Singh - 6/10
Harmanpreet gets fewer marks today not because of a poor conversion rate for penalty corners. On that front, he was handicapped by the fact that there was no second option for the Indian team as Amit Rohidas was out. So, the German runners just ran towards the India captain and blocked his path.
However, there were some basic mistakes by the India captain which cost the team the match. He conceded two penalty corners due to fouls committed by him. Otherwise, he was chiefly responsible for India's goals and deserves credit for them.
PR Sreejesh - 7/10
India's veteran goalie played his role with the efficiency one has come to expect from him.
Sumit - 7.5/10
As India transitioned into an attacking mode for this match, Sumit played a key role in moving the ball forward for India. Apart from that, in Amit Rohidas' absence, Sumit performed his defensive duties well too.
Vivek Sagar Prasad - 6/10
Vivek's been in good form all through India's Paris 2024 Olympics campaign. He was again very active, initially helping out India as they dominated the first half.
However, he loses some marks here for being one of the many players who gave easy turnovers in the fourth quarter. On one occasion, his hesitance in tackling a German attacker when the ball was a little loose led to a PC.
Sukhjeet Singh - 7/10
Underwhelming at times in this tournament, Sukhjeet was India's best attacker in this match. He was brilliant with his stickwork and created some very good opportunities.
Sanjay - 7/10
With Amit Rohidas out, Sanjay had to play a big role for his team. He did that efficiently.
Lalit Kumar Upadhyay - 5/10
Lalit missed some crucial opportunities for India in this match. The forward needed to come into his own with India going all out in attack. But he failed to rise to the occasion.
Shamsher Singh - 5/10
Shamsher could have turned into a hero for India with the very last play of the match. He had a shot at goal but hit it high and missed out on taking the game to a shootout. Before this, he didn't have too much impact on the game.
Raj Kumar Pal - 7/10
Raj Kumar showed his impressive skills earlier in the match when India was playing at great intensity. But he too was part of a midfield that gave away the ball too easily to the Germans in the fourth quarter, leading to them scoring a winner.