India lose 1-2 to Germany in FIH Pro League 2025-26 Rotterdam clash
Synopsis
India dominated for 55 minutes, led through Jugraj Singh's 100th-cap drag-flick, and still lost — Germany's Weigand and Brilla struck in the final four minutes to steal a 2-1 win in Rotterdam. It is the cruellest kind of defeat: earned on merit, lost in seconds.
Key Takeaways
India lost 1-2 to Germany in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 Rotterdam leg on Friday .
Jugraj Singh scored in the 38th minute , marking his 100th international appearance with a drag-flick goal.
Justus Weigand equalised for Germany in the 56th minute via a penalty corner.
Jakob Brilla scored the winner in the 60th minute — the last seconds of the match — from another penalty corner.
Goalkeeper Mohith HS was solid through three quarters, keeping India's one-goal lead intact until the final period.
India's next match is against the Netherlands on Sunday .
The Indian men's hockey team produced a spirited performance against reigning world champions Germany but fell 1-2 in their third match of the FIH Pro League 2025-26 Rotterdam leg on Friday. Late goals from Justus Weigand (56') and Jakob Brilla (60') overturned a Jugraj Singh strike that had given India the lead in the 38th minute.
A Milestone Moment for Jugraj Singh
Jugraj Singh marked his 100th international appearance in style, converting a powerful drag-flick after India earned their first penalty corner of the match. The goal, scored in the 38th minute, capped a well-constructed third-quarter move and rewarded India's sustained possession dominance through the first three periods.
India's Strong First Three Quarters
India started on the front foot, controlling possession and pressing high to deny Germany space. The world champions were largely kept at bay through a compact defensive structure, with goalkeeper Mohith HS standing firm to repel a couple of German penalty corners late in the third quarter. Abhishek crafted India's best chance of the first half through a well-worked build-up, though the opportunity remained unfinished.
Germany's Late Comeback Seals It
The final quarter proved costly for India. Despite earning additional penalty corners and an open-play opportunity for Shilanand Lakra, India could not extend their lead. Justus Weigand levelled the score in the 56th minute with a penalty corner conversion, and with virtually the last touch of the game, Jakob Brilla fired home another penalty corner in the 60th minute to hand Germany a 2-1 win.
What's Next for India
The defeat is India's third match in the Rotterdam leg of the FIH Pro League 2025-26. The team will return to action when they face the Netherlands on Sunday. The back-to-back late concessions will give the coaching staff clear areas to address before that contest.
Point of View
Take the lead, and then concede twice in the dying minutes to a side that is ruthless on set pieces. Germany converted two of their final penalty corners; India could not convert theirs when it mattered. The structural concern is not fitness or fight — India showed plenty of both — but the inability to kill off matches when ahead. Until India learns to manage leads in the closing stages, results like this will keep undermining otherwise strong performances.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of India vs Germany in the FIH Pro League 2025-26?
Germany defeated India 2-1 in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 Rotterdam leg on Friday. India led 1-0 before Germany scored twice in the final four minutes to win.
Who scored for India against Germany?
Jugraj Singh scored India's only goal in the 38th minute with a drag-flick from a penalty corner. It was also his 100th international appearance for India.
How did Germany come back to win?
Justus Weigand equalised in the 56th minute and Jakob Brilla scored the winner in the 60th minute, both from penalty corners, to complete a 2-1 comeback for Germany.
Who is India's next opponent in the FIH Pro League Rotterdam leg?
India face the Netherlands on Sunday in their next FIH Pro League 2025-26 match in Rotterdam.
What was notable about Jugraj Singh's performance?
Jugraj Singh marked his 100th international appearance by scoring India's goal — a powerful drag-flick in the 38th minute — making the milestone bittersweet given the eventual result.
