The Indian women’s hockey team fought with tigerish resolve but lost its nerves in the most crucial phase of the penalty shootout, going down to Germany 3-4 in the second semi-final of the FIH Olympic Qualifier here on Thursday.

The match was stretched to a shootout after the teams were tied 2-2 in regulation time. With this win Germany secured a berth in the Paris Olympics.

However, India will have another chance to seal their Olympics berth if they beat Japan in the third-fourth place match on Friday. The top three sides from this tournament will qualify for the Paris Games. World No.5 Germany will take on the USA in the final of this event on Friday.

Deepika (15th minute) and Ishika Chaudhary (59th) scored for India in regulation time, while both Germany’s goals were scored by Charlotte Stapenhorst.

In the shootout, Savita made two fine saves but Navneet Kaur, Neha Goyal, Sangita Kumari and Sonika missed from one-on-one situation in sudden death.

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni came to cheer the home team.