Stunning victory: India beat Olympic champions Germany in hockey playoffs
It was one of the greatest days in the recent history of Indian hockey as they defeated reigning Olympic gold medalists Germany 5-4 with the last hit of the match in a pulsating encounter at the Hero Hockey World League Final in the Capital on Friday.
Terry Walsh's charges had come close to upsetting the World No.1 side in the pool stage, but had to settle for a 3-3 draw.
What made the victory significant was that the hosts had to come back twice from a two-goal deficit.
India's Rupinder Pal Singh exults after scoring the winner against Germany in the Hockey World League Final
It was India's first victory over the European powerhouse since 2009, and the first at a major event since the 2004 Champions Trophy in Lahore.
The heroes of the victory were teenager Mandeep Singh, who scored three goals, and Rupinder Pal Singh, who found the target with two thunderous drag-flicks.
India's captain Sardar Singh also had a great game. India now face World No.5 Belgium for the fifth position.
The Red Lions inflicted the second straight penalty shootout defeat on Argentina after their match was tied 1-1 over 70 minutes.
The heroes of the victory were teenager Mandeep Singh (left), who scored three goals, and Rupinder Pal Singh (not pictured), who found the target with two thunderous drag-flicks
It has been only three months since Walsh took over as India coach.
Improvement was evident in the last two matches as well, but the Australian had to wait till the fifth match of his stint to savour the first victory.
Three goals inside 16 secondhalf minutes displayed the mental tenacity of the players.
However, the start was anything but encouraging for India. Germany, who have come to India without some of their better players, were 2-0 up after six minutes.
Skipper Oliver Korn tapped home in the fourth minute after good work from Tobias Hauke.
The lead was soon doubled off the Germans' first penalty corner when a neat variation allowed Thilo Stralkowski to strike home.
The Germans were thoroughly dominant at this time and looked likely to score on every foray.
They missed some gilt-edged opportunities in the first quarter of an hour.
Against the run of play, India pulled one back when a defensive mistake allowed Mandeep to hit the target.
The momentum shifted at this moment, but the Germans restored their two-goal lead when Florian Fuchs set up Benjamin Wess.
India raised their tempo after the restart and Rupinder, one of their best players in the tournament, slammed home from their first penalty corner.
Parity was restored two minutes later when VR Raghunath found Mandeep inside the circle.
The Germans had a great chance to take the lead when Raghunath was penalised for a stick check inside the circle, but Hauke hit the penalty stroke wide of PR Sreejesh's cage.
India made it 4-3 through a familiar route when a Raghunath slap was turned in by Mandeep.
The Germans, for whom the tournament has gone steadily downhill after the 6-1 romp against the Kiwis in their opener, levelled in the 55th minute through a Starlkowski drag-flick.
As the match entered its final minutes, there was drama as at one point India had 12 players on the pitch.
Sardar had to see out the game from the touchline as a punishment for the offence.
But it was not costly in any way as India earned a penalty corner in the final minute and after the hooter sounded, Rupinder slammed home to secure a memorable victory.
Walsh was delighted with the result, but had his feet firmly on the ground. "It was a commendable performance, but two sunny days do not make a summer. If anything, they bring us closer to the next sunny day," he said.
