Hockey World Cup 2018: Germany vs Pakistan - 3 Standout Players from the match

Despite their best efforts, a resurgent Pakistan side could not prevent Germany from eking out a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Although there was no barrage of goals like in the previous match between Netherlands and Malaysia, the second encounter of Pool D turned into an engrossing contest.

Brushing aside all preconceived pre-tournament expectations from various quarters, Pakistan came up with a creditable performance against the sixth-ranked German team. Although the Green Shirts' defence managed to deliver the goods, their strikers missed out on golden opportunities to seal the game.

Marco Miltkau's 36rd minute field goal proved to be the difference between the two teams in what was an absorbingly tight encounter. Here are three standout players from Germany's 1-0 triumph over Pakistan at the 2018 Hockey World Cup.

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#3 Imran Butt

Imran Butt came to Pakistan's rescue on quite a few instances

Unarguably, Imran Butt is one of the best goal-keepers in Pakistan's hockey history. During these last six years or so, he has been the saving grace for his team on numerous occasions. The custodian did a sterling job against Germany's well-oiled attackers.

With Pakistan's defence tightening up and making life difficult for the Germans, Imran Butt produced impressive saves whenever the shots were on target. His anticipation to cut out dangerous crosses came to the fore in the first quarter. Christopher Rühr's sharp cross did not bear fruit for Germany due to the Pakistan goal-keeper's awareness.

Butt continued to rally the Pakistan defenders by delivering instructions from under the bar. His sole blemish came when Marco Miltkau found space and lifted the ball past him into the back of the net.

#2 Mats Grambusch

Mats Grambusch worked tirelessly to create scoring opportunities for Germany

In a game where only one goal was scored in the entirety of sixty minutes, one would be forgiven for thinking that a defender from either side should have received the Player of the Match award. However, the honours went to the attacking Mats Grambusch. And for good reason as the 26-year old worked tirelessly right throughout the match in order to create productive chances for Germany.

Grambusch was denied by the adroitness of Pakistan's defence. But the man from Rot-Weiss Köln covered a lot of space and kept challenging the Green Shirts with his inventiveness. The seamless manner in which he worked his way past the defenders played a key role in those myriad circle penetrations for Germany. However, he will be ruing a couple of close misses in the third quarter. On another day, he might have had a couple of goals to his name.

#1 Marco Miltkau

Marco Miltkau's goal clinched the game for Germany

Marco Miltkau allayed Germany's concerns with a decisive field goal and helped unearth three crucial points. During the 36th minute of the match, he outwitted the Pakistan defence by creating space for himself amidst a chaotic set-piece.

A short corner, which was taken quickly, came through to Niklas Wellen. Bereft of breathing room, he smartly deflected the ball to the advancing Miltkau. The 28-year old had wriggled past his marker and found the temerity to charge at Imran Butt.

Having gotten himself into the perfect position, Miltkau's stick connected with Wellen's pass and scooped the ball to evade the diving Pakistan goal-keeper. At a crucial stage in the game, Miltkau's audacious finish helped tilt the scales in Germany's favour.

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