Indian eves eke out 3-3 draw against Germany

The Indian women's hockey team pumped in three goals in the second half to hold World No 4 and hosts Germany to a 3-3 draw in the opening match of a four-nation tournament in Essen.

India took break with a 0-2 deficit but made a remarkable recovery as Rosalin Ralte, Rani Rampal and skipper Surinder Kaur found the net to eke out a draw on Friday.

The hosts took the lead from a penalty corner conversion by Tina Bachmann in the 12th minute and veteran Natascha Keller made it 2-0 in the 24th minute.

However, the Indian players refused to throw in the towel and Ralte reduced the margin in the 38th minute with a fierce shot.

The goal, as early as in the third minute of the second session, spurred the Indians on but Lydia Hasse made it 3-1 for Germany in the 51st minute.

India kept fighting and were successful in finding the second goal when Rani converted the only penalty corner the team got in the 63rd minute.

As the game approached its end, India intensified attacks on the rival goal and skipper Surinder Kaur successfully found the equaliser.