Germany 4 India 2

For those who believed that Olympic champions Germany would just roll over and let the hosts continue their undefeated march into the final, a rude reality check was the answer. Reigning World and Olympic Champions Germany are the masters of text book hockey and for the fans in Chandigarh; it was a display of technical purity with chess like moves that had India struggling for answers.

Tushar Khandekar’s goal in the 12th minute was the signal for the party to begin. But it lasted only two minutes before Germany’s Jan Phillip Rabente equalized. It was clear in the next ten minutes that Germany was a step ahead of the Indian think tank. Markus Weise had used to drawing board at the hotel to good effect and the German players responded solidly. The forwards, midfield and the defence played a percentage game that removed errors and created chances for the Olympic champions to romp home 4-2. It was also Germany’s first win in the tournament.

 Germany scored through Jan Philipp Rabente (14th minute), Lim Kevin (21st), Moritz Furste (34th) and skipper Tobias Hauke (38th) scored, while Tushar Khandekar (12th) and captain Sandeep Singh (64th) found the goals for India.

In another match, the Netherlands outplayed New Zealand 4-1 to reach the final.

India, who are on eight points, need a draw in their last league match against New Zealand on Saturday to set up a summit clash with the Netherlands.

However, a loss would mean that they will have to depend on the result of Germany's last league match against the Netherlands. Germany's win on Saturday will take them to eight points and in that case the team with better goal difference will sneak into Monday's final.

India’s early goal should have pushed the team to try and control the midfield. It was a long pass from Rajpal that Tushar Khandekar trapped and then with a reverse flick sent it into goal.

But they lost the plot as they played into the Germans hands by conceding too much space. India also easily gave the ball allowing Germany to have a dominant hold on play.

However, Germany equalised through mid-fielder Rabente after two minutes.

German defender Kevin struck in the 21st minute to give his team a 2-1 lead. In the 34th minute, Germany got their first penalty corner and Furste made it 3-1.

Continuing their dominance in the second half, Hauke increased the lead to 4-1 when he hit a long pass into the Indian goalpost.

India did have a couple of chances through penalty corners in 53rd and 57th minute before skipper Sandeep converted the third in 63rd minute.