Olympic bronze medallists India dished out a shoddy performance to lose 2-5 against lower-ranked France in the second match of the FIH Hockey Pro League two-leg tie at Potchefstroom (South Africa) on Saturday.
India started the match as clear favourites after having registered convincing wins 5-0 against France and 10-2 against South Africa in the FIH Pro League so far. But France had other plans on Saturday and got the better of their fancied opponents in every aspects of the game.
The Indians were slow to get off the blocks but gained in confidence as the match progressed.
While France enjoyed the early exchanges, India controlled the proceedings thereafter but both the teams failed to create any real goal-scoring chance.
A minute into the second quarter, India secured the first penalty corner of the match but poor trapping didn't give Harmanpreet Singh a shot at the goal.
France caught the Indian defence off guard in the very next move and earned a penalty stroke which was beautifully converted by Victor Charlet.
