FIH Hockey World League Final Highlights, India vs Germany: Akashdeep Singh's Goal Helps Hosts Hold Olympic Champions to Draw

India, who were thrashed 0-3 in their FIH Hockey World League Final opener against Argentina, held Olympic champions Germany to a 1-1 draw in their second match in Raipur on Saturday. Akashdeep Singh scored in the fourth quarter, after Germany had taken the lead in the first quarter through Niklas Wellen's strike.

The hosts gave a much better account of themselves than in their previous match against Argentina, as they troubled the Germans on numerous occasions. India had good chances to score on but could not convert them.

Sardar Singh and Co. now have one draw and one loss in two matches. They next face the Netherlands on Monday. India captain Sardar, who was declared the man of the match, said he was happy with India's performance. "We are on right track. Today we played much better hockey than against Argentina. Hopefully we will keep on improving against the Netherlands," he said.

20:00 hrs IST: That's it. Referee blows the final whistle as India and Germany share a point each. It's a 1-1 draw.

19:59 hrs IST: India go on attacks for a late winner, but the all-important goal is missing. Youngsters Jasjit Singh and Ramandeep have done well

19:58 hrs IST: Manpreet Singh goes down. He is in pain, may have injured his hamstring. One minute to go in the match as Germany gets a free-hit

19:57 hrs IST: Two minutes of action left. Jasjit Singh tries hard to score the winner but his attack is nipped in the bud.

19:52 hrs IST: Bad news for India. Ramandeep Singh receives a yellow card and will be out for five minutes.

19:49 hrs IST: 10 minutes left in the encounter. Can India finish it in style? They have looked much better than their previous match against Argentina

GER 1-1 IND Akashdeep crashes in a well deserved equaliser #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/oPmqcBwM6l

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) November 28, 2015

19:45 hrs IST: GOAL! Akashdeep Singh scores with a reverse flick off Manpreet Singh's pass. Germans are dumbfounded after the equaliser.

19:43 hrs IST: Fourth quarter starts! And India are on attack. Akashdeep's shot is cleared by German defender. 

19:41 hrs IST: MISS! Ramandeep's flick is stopped by German goal-keeper Speck. It's the end of third quarter, India still trail 0-1

19:40hrs IST:  A very speedy attack there from Germany's Florian Fuchs. But PR Sreejesh again comes to the rescue

19:36 hrs IST: Germany's Moritz get a yellow card, five minutes suspension. India's VR Ragunath gets green card, two minute suspension. Both teams down to 10 men.

GER 1-0 IND Another good save from Sreejesh to deny Germany #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/hDeB2XnAkR

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) November 28, 2015

19:35 hrs IST: BRILLIANT SAVE! PR Sreejesh anticipates the ball as he stretches his left leg to stop the German's shot.

19:34hrs IST: Penalty corner for Germany for foot-foul by Jasjit Singh

19:26 hrs IST: BIG MISS! Ramandeep Singh misses a brilliant opportunity to score from penalty corner. Great work from Germany goalkeeper Andreas Spack. Rupinder drags, but the ball deflects from the the post, rebounds to Ramandeep, but he hits straight in to the pads of goalkeeper. German defender then clears it.

19:25 hrs IST: India get a penalty corner, the first of the match. Can the hosts equalise?

19:22 hrs IST: None of the teams have been able to get a penalty corner till now. Though both teams have been attacking and more goals may be scored in this match.

19:14 hrs IST: It's half-time. India have shown great attacking skills but have been unable to breach the German defence. Still trail 0-1.

Indian fans have come in large number for the match against Germany. (Image credit: FIH/ Twitter)

19:10 hrs IST: Germany down to 10 men after Ruhr gets a green card for a rough tackle. Can India take the advantage?

19:08 hrs IST: Akashdeep comes close to scoring of a Sardar pass. But his reverse shot is saved by the German goalkeeper. India have made 10 circle entries while Germany have made just seven

19:05 hrs IST: Germany enjoy more possession as India has their referral turned down. 

19:02 hrs IST: Ramandeep falls in the D as India fail in yet another move. Better coordination needed among the Indians.

19:00 hrs IST: India defending with numbers. Six comes to the man the back-line as Moritz goes for an attack. Danger averted.  

Sardar Singh is leading Indian team with responsibility.

18:58 hrs IST: Sardar Singh Leading from the front. The India captain is not only helping in attack but is also coming down when the defence looks shaky.

18:55 hrs IST: Second quarter starts! India on the attack immediately but German defenders giving little to room to Ramandeep Singh.

18:52 hrs IST: Manpreet dribbles too much and ultimately achieves nothing. He does not pass to teammates. It is end of first quarter as India trail first quarter 

18:50 hrs IST: Manpreet Singh toiling hard in the forward-line but receives little support from others. German defence too good as India gives away the ball   

18:45 hrs IST: India under pressure again but PR Sreejesh makes double save to avert the danger. Things are not looking good for Sardar Singh and Co.

GER 1-0 IND Welllen knocks in unmarked at the far post to open the scoring #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/mHYoVlqXen

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) November 28, 2015

18:42 hrs IST:GOAL! It's a bad start as India conceded inside the first five minutes. Niklas Wellen takes advantage of a lapse in defending by Indian and scores Germany's first goal.

Germany hockey team celebrates after scoring against India. (Image credit: FIH)

18:37 hrs IST: And the action starts. In their last 10 matches, Germany have won seven games while India have just won three.

18.33 hrs IST: A big welcome to all!! India face Germany in the second match. Both teams have lined up for the national anthems. Bis test for the hosts.

For the Sardar Singh-led side, which will be competing at the Rio Olympics in a year's time, it was a reality check as Argentina dominated them in every aspect of the game. Be it the defenders or the forward-line, the hosts gave a poor account of themselves in every sphere. (Argentina Hockey Team Bus Stoned in Raipur, After Winning Against India)

Against Argentina, India conceded two goals from penalty corners and one from open-play while they could earn only one penalty corner for themselves.

India coach Roleant Oltmans was disappointed by the result, stating: "The first half could have been better. We did more in the second half but it was still not enough. Today we haven't deserved anything. We need to recover quickly now because the next match is tomorrow."

Against Germany, who were held 0-0 by the Netherlands in their first match, the world No. 6 India would have to doubly careful. The Germans are ranked No. 3 and would target the lower-ranked India to get back on winning track.

In the recent past, India's record against Germany has been decent. In the last three years, the two teams have met four times with India losing twice, winning and drawing once.

In their last clash at the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar, India, the hosts lost 1-0 to the Germans after a solitary goal by Florian Fuchs. Sardar and Co. had finished semi-finalists in that tournament while Germany were the champions.

India's last win against Germany came in the 2014 Hockey World League Final Round, also in India, when the hosts prevailed 5-4. Mandeep Singh (3) and Rupinder Pal Singh (2) scored the goals in that match.

It would be interesting to see, if the Indians can take inspiration from that performance against the Germans in their Saturday clash.