JOIN USComets ease past Cheetahs
Harjot Singh shone under the bar as Chandigarh Comets blank Chennai Cheetahs 3-0 to virtually assure themselves of a berth in the semifinals of the World Series Hockey here on Monday.
After taking the lead in the second minute through Mohd Amir Khan, Gurjinder Singh increased the tally eight minutes later off a penalty corner.
Sukwinder Singh Gabbar made it 3-0 after he scored from a penalty stroke which was awarded to the Comets for Vikram Pillay’s infringement.
With 22 points, Comets are placed second on the points table, behind leaders Sher-e-Punjab (25).
Chennai Cheetahs failed to raise their game before the home fans and lacked in all departments of the game and wasted as many as seven penalty corners.
Pakistan’s Syed Imran Warsi failed to score for the second time in a row after his below par show in the defeat to Sher-e-Punjab on Sunday.
Wizards thrash Strykers
In Pune, Delhi Wizards got their campaign back on track as they thrashed Pune Strykers 6-2. Wizards now have 16 points from 12 games while Strykers remain on 15.
Home team surged ahead in the second minute when Mario Nicolas Almada scored off the melee for the Pune Strykers. However Upendra Pillay equalised for Wizards in the 14th minute of the first quarter when he dived infront of Strykers goalie to put the ball into the vacant goal.
Having equalised, Wizards came out all guns blazing in the second half with their skipper Shakeel Abbasi scoring a spectacular goal to give his team the lead. Abbasi dived to deflect a cross from the flank by Philip Sunkel that caught the Strykers custodian unawares as it was angled to perfection. It was the fourth minute of the second quarter (21st). In the 28th minute, it became 3-1 as Vikramjeet Singh converted a drag-flick in style. In the 32nd minute, Wizards made it 4-1 when Sunkel after entering the striking zone took a powerful reverse hit which was parried by the Strykers goalie but the ball lobbed up. Victo Singh who was lurking nearby positioned himself well to tap the ball home.
Drag-flicker Vikramjeet converted a short corner in the 38th minute to put Delhi 5-1 up. Bikash Toppo made it 2-5 for the home team when he converted a penalty stroke in the third quarter. Victo Singh made it 6-2 for Wizards in the 63rd minute.