The beleaguered Indian team would be seeking to log their first points when they taken on an under-strength Germany in the third round of the Champions Trophy men's field hockey at the National Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.
After the battering they received at the hands of Spain and defending champions Holland, India would like to believe that their toughest ties are behind them. But they would have to put in a far more inspired performance in the coming league encounters to revive their sagging fortunes.
Germany, who have sent an experimental side in order to focus on the 2006 World Cup and the 2008 Beijing Games, appear to be everyone's punching bag in the competition.
They were pounded by both Pakistan and Spain in their earlier two games and seem headed for another last place finish like last year.
India, who are yet to open the account and are ahead of Germany and New Zealand only because of a better goal difference, have everything to play for.