India were made to toil hard by minnows Ireland yesterday to register a fighting 3-2 win, their first in the sporting extravaganza in 12 years.
Going by world rankings, India (5th) were the clear favourites to dominate the match against Ireland (12th). Expectedly, the PR Sreejesh-led side started on a bright note and played to their potential in the for majority of the match but they handed the initiative to their opponents in the final quarter.
Sreejesh was alert as usual in front of the Indian goal, making quite a few saves but the defence, their perennial problem, was found wanting when the Irish had put relentless pressure in the final quarter, thereby conceding as many as eight penalty corners.
But come tomorrow, the Indians cannot afford to commit the same mistakes against the Germans, who will be eyeing a hat-trick of Olympic golds having pocketed the yellow metal in the last two Games in 2008 Beijing and 2012 London.
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In Sydney and Athens, India never played the Germans as they featured in different pools. However four years ago in London, Germany comprehensively beat India 5-2.
In the recent past India have had mixed results against the Germans.
India recently played Germany in the the FIH Champions Trophy in London, where the Sreejesh-led side won a historic silver.