Badshahs tame Lions as Cheetahs thrash Wizards

Karnataka Lions’ lackluster performance continued as Bhopal Badshahs got better of them by 3-1 comfortably.

The goals for the Badshahs came from Karan Bhaskar (43th and 45th min) and Sameer Dad (47th) whereas for the Lions it was from Dhanraj Pillay (41st).

It was a dismal performance by the Lions where they will stand guilty of shabby show in all departments of the game – poorly coordinated attacks by their unfit forwards, sloppy defense, little moves created from the midfield and pathetic penalty corner conversion, too. The only respite for them was a couple of good saves by their goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan.

The match witnessed ordinary performance from both sides in the first two quarters. For the Lions, Lehn Aiyappa missed a penalty corner, Arjun Halappa missed to stop an injection on a penalty corner and Amar Aiyappa missed an easy chance to score. For Badshahs, Karan missed a good chance when he was set up by Sameer Dad. Arjun Antil made a few good skilful penetrations from the right flank but he good little help from others.

In the 41st minute, a goal was set up for Dhanraj Pillay who stood next to the goal line. He did the basic required and the Lions led 1-0.

This, however, didn’t last for long as Lalit Upadhayay set up Karan Bhaskar in the Lions’ circle. Lion defenders instead of blocking Karan, preferred to beckon the umpire about a foul. A not-obliging umpire and agile Karan brought in the equalizer for the Badshahs as the scores leveled 1-1.

Few minutes later, in the 45th minute, Karan scored again, this time off a penalty corner – a perfect flick bisecting goalkeeper Devesh and Lehn Aiyappa at the goal line – making it 2-1 in favor of Badshahs.

Two minutes, Sameer Dad displayed his experience as he got a loose ball, courtesy shabby trapping by Lehn Aiyappa. He took his split second and slotted it in, making it 3-1 for the Badshahs.

Arjun Halappa set up his forward line a few times but they didn’t give him the desperately required finish. Jarnail Singh who was fabulous in the flanks failed a couple of times in finishing some good moves developed by Arjun Halappa, all around the turf, and Arjun Antil, from the right.

This is the third consecutive loss for the Lions. Lack of ideas for the Lions can be gauged by their mindless passing and completely ineffective scoops all through the game.

In the second game of the evening, Chennai Cheetahs pulled off a fabulous 5-2 win beating Delhi Wizards comprehensively.

For Cheetahs the goals were scored by Joseph Reardon (35th min), Imran Warsi (48th, 54th), Adam Sinclair (57th) and Sandeep Antil (61st). For the Delhi Wizards it was Philip Sunkel (31st and 34th min).

The match where both the teams showcased their defense skills in most of the first two quarters, witnessed faced pace game towards the end of second quarter. Three goals were scored in the last five minutes before the half time hooter with Delhi Wizards looking better with a lead of 2-1.

In the 31st minute, Philip Sunkel scored a beauty from close range when he got overhead pass. Three minutes later, set up by Gurvinder Singh, he scored another stunner for the Delhi Wizards.

Wizards, with the score-line 2-0 in their favor in the 34th minute, fared poorly ever after in the game.

The third quarter was a poor finishing story for them, as they kept missing the final finishing. Gurvinder Singh, who was instrumental in setting up the first two goals for the Wizards, kept missing a number of very good chances, as did Rajpal with a good run down in the flanks.

A few efficient blocks by Cheetahs’ defense line and saves by the goalkeeper further denied them any rejoice.

In the third quarter, a penalty corner equalizer by Syed Imran Warsi brought the Cheetahs back in the game, making it 2-2. Few minutes later, Warsi scored again off a penalty corner to take his team to 3-2.

Rubbing salt on the wounds of Wizards, the Cheetahs broke into the Wizards’ defense when Vikram Pillay gave a cross pass from the right of the circle to find Adam Sinclair and Brent Livermore waiting eagerly for the deflection at the goalmouth. The move, beating the whole Wizards’ defense, gave Cheetahs 4-2 lead as Sinclair got his name on the score-sheet.

In the dying moments of the game, Brent Livermore scored a stunner from the right in the circle, by his reverse flick beating the defenders, and eventually the goalkeeper, to score the fifth goal for the Cheetahs.

And even though Delhi Wizards may boast of a 55% ball possession, Cheetahs used their 45% possession more effectively beating the Wizards in all departments of the game. Cheetahs with their strong defense line didn’t waste many of their counter-attack opportunities.