India’s promising start to the FIH Hockey World Cup for Junior Women was halted on Tuesday as the team fell 1-3 to Germany in a key pool-stage encounter.

Hina Bano (58’) scored India’s lone goal, while Germany’s Lena Frerichs (5’), Annika Schönhoff (52’), and Martina Reisenegger (59’) found the target for their team. With the win, Germany sits at the top of the pool with two victories, having earlier defeated Ireland 7-1.

Both teams opened with intensity, but Germany seized early control. Pressing high and forcing mistakes, the Germans earned a penalty stroke in the fifth minute. Lena Frerichs converted confidently to give her side a 1-0 lead.

India worked its way back into the contest, constructing attacking moves and looking for openings, but could not find the equalizer before the first-quarter break.

India increased the pressure in the second quarter with quick counterattacks. Manisha created one of the finest opportunities of the half, making a brilliant run that ultimately went unfinished. Germany earned another penalty stroke late in the half, but Frerichs failed to convert, sending the match into halftime at 1-0.

India began the second half with renewed urgency, dominating possession and coming close to scoring from a penalty corner. Despite sustained pressure and several promising entries into the circle, the team lacked the finishing touch needed to level the match.

Germany capitalized in the 52nd minute when Annika Schönhoff scored from close range to double the lead. India struck back in the 58th minute through Hina Bano, who redirected a penalty corner to keep her team in contention. Any hope of a late comeback faded seconds later when Martina Reisenegger scored a third for Germany in the 59th minute.

India will face Ireland next on December 5 in its final pool match.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Prabhnoor Hundal remains the only player of Indian descent in the Canadian squad, which lost its opening match 1-6 to Australia.

The United States continued its dominant form, winning both of its matches so far. The American junior women defeated New Zealand 5-2 and Korea 4-0 to lead their pool.

The Netherlands is another team maintaining a perfect record, with emphatic victories over host Chile (10-0) and Japan (8-0).

In other results, England drew 2-2 with China, while New Zealand and Uruguay shared points after a 3-3 draw.

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