Within hours of India's shock defeat to Argentina, the Indian camp received two visitors - India's Sports Minister, Dhanushkodi Athithan, and President of the Indian Hockey Federation, Mr. K. P. S. Gill. Their first act in the Games Village was to lift the dropping morale of the Indian hockey team. This upset defeat had made the front pages of the papers back home, and many of the Indian players had spent a restless night.
This match assumed an added significance when Spain whipped World Cup Champions Pakistan 3-0. The last time Spain beat Pakistan was 25 years ago in the inaugural World Cup. With Spain sitting pretty at the top of Pool A, there would be a scramble for the second spot. India could not afford to lose to Germany, while a draw would still leave India and Germany on the level.
As in the first game, half-time produced no goals from either side. While India relied on individualistic play, the Germans combined well and Andreas Becker, Klaus Michler, and Meinhardt all had shots at goal. In contrast, India's left wing was woefully inadequate, and crosses from the right wing went abegging.
The action started late in the second half. The first goal came in the 62nd minute through a steal by Dhanraj Pillay. He beat two defenders and then backpassed to the gangly Mukesh Kumar, who slammed in the goal without breaking his stride. The Indian supporters went delirious with joy and one could see the fluttering of the tricolour in the stands.
Germany had only 8 minutes left to equalize, and they set about their task without panic. Most of their attacks were initiated from their right wing. One such cross went across the D to the completely unmarked Stefan Salegir. It was a major defensive lapse, and Salegir had all the time in the world to hit the ball into the net.
Overall, Germany received 7 penalty corners and India received none. It is a debatable point if penalty corners for India would have made a difference. However, Germany produced superb variations of their penalty corners which left everyone on the wrong foot. Two stinging shots just missed the goal, while another hit the post. But for some very good anticipation by goal keeper Subbaiah, who played his heart out today, and one goal line save by Ramandeep Singh, Germany should have been sitting pretty with a sizeable lead. India should be happy to get away with a 1-1 draw.
It was good to see active audience participation in the game. The Indian section was particularly boisterous, with shouts of Jeetega Bhai Jeetega, India Jeetega. On occasion, some choice expletives could also be heard, which cannot be translated here. At any rate, the India - Pakistan match on July 26 promises to be a sellout.
Three hockey superpowers - India, Pakistan and Germany, who between them have 13 gold medals, will be fighting it out for the second spot. Spain and Argentina, who have never won an Olympic Gold, are leading Pool A! Welcome to the Olympics, where every country raises its level of play several notches higher, and no country is a pushover.
India has to score a large number of goals against USA to build up a good goal average. Right now, they have only one goal to show from two matches. The match between Olympic Champions Germany and World Cup Champions Pakistan will be eagerly awaited. Whichever country loses, could count itself out of the fray.