Indian women's hockey team lost 0-3 to Germany to slump to their first defeat in their tour to South Africa, here.
The first period of the match started with both the teams moving cautiously in order to understand each other's game plan.
Both India and Germany concentrated on maintaining ball possession and a lot of the game was played in the mid-field.
The Indian eves came ou with more attacking intent in the second period and in the process earned a penalty corner in but they failed to capitalise on the opportunity.
The Germans finally broke the deadlock in the final minutes of the second quarter through a field goal from Lydia Haase.
Germany doubled their lead in the third quarter through another field goal by Pia-Sophie Oldhafer before making the scoreline 3-0
through a penalty corner conversion by Julia Muller in the fourth and final 15 minutes of the game.
India will again play Germany in their next match o the tour later today.
Deepika received the Hockey India Player of the Year
Award for women in the second Hockey India Annual Awards in Bengaluru on Mar 26.
"To get this recognition by Hockey India right before the Hawke's Bay Cup is undoubtedly a big boost. I am overjoyed to be selected for the most coveted Hockey India awards in recognition of my efforts," said Deepika.
The New Zealand outing will also give the chief coach and selectors a chance to see how some of the junior players who have been drafted in the camp fare at the senior level ahead of the 2016 Rio Games.
"The Olympic squad has not been announced yet. Currently, the entire core group is training at the camp. So, everyone is very keen to perform in the Hawke's Bay Cup to brighten their chances for making the cut for the Olympics. This is good in long-term because we would have more options when selecting the side for Rio," said the skipper.
The prospect of taking on higher ranked teams in the Hawke's Bay Cup is not weighing down the 18-member Indian team.
"It's good that we are playing these teams in the tournament. It will not only give us, and especially the youngsters, critical exposure of playing against good sides, but will also prepare us mentally to take on even better sides in the Olympics. Also, the improved fitness levels of our players give us the confidence of playing against higher ranked sides,"Deepika said..
Though, doing well in the Hawke's Bay Cup is the immediate target of the team, the girls are well aware that history beckons them at the Rio Olympics for which they have qualified after a long wait of 36 years.
"There is a huge amount of excitement among us regarding the Olympics. For Indian women's hockey it's a dream come true moment. People think it's still some months away, but if you ask me, we believe that there is very little time left. Since, we have made it to the Olympics after such a long time, we want people to take note of Indian women's hockey. It's a huge opportunity for us," Deepika signed off.
The Indian eves will depart for New Zealand later tonight.
