Tags:
Journalism of Courage
KUALA LUMPUR, FEBRUARY 16: Asian games champions India got off to a disappointing start losing 1-2 narrowly to European champs Germany in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup opener here on Wednesday.
India and Germany have traditionally played close matches and this was no different. Only recently, in the four-nation tournament at Barcelona, Germany had beaten India 1-0.
Germany coach Paul Lissek said his team was lucky to beat India. 8220;India dominated the entire second half and we were lucky they couldn8217;t score off the 3-4 chances they had.8221;
Indian manager Gurbux Singh, said Lissek was generous but he wasn8217;t way off the mark. 8220;I think we were distinctly unlucky,8221; he said. 8220;The first goal was crucial as it slowed the team down. A first minute goal is always difficult to get over with. And then the second goal in the ninth minute. We fought back well but I feel we should have atleast drawn the match.8221;
Germany have come with their best side and they looked good when Christian Wein moved into the circle and, after cutting across Dilip Tirkey fired in for Germany8217;s opening goal.
The shell-shocked Indians tried to rally but eight minutes later Germany dribbled into the Indian circle and a loose ball found Bechmann whose first-timer whizzed past a perplexed Jude Menezes. With defenders in front, Menezes still came out and the charge left him with a gaping hole at the back which Bechmann to his joy shot in for the second goal.
