M.No.23

DAY 12: Sunday 11.3.2012:

Comets shine bright, eclipses Strykers 3-1

The inaugural Bridgestone World Series Hockey is shaping up for some sizzling suspense. Gradually all the teams which were slow to take off are now finding their peaks as Chandigarh Comets surprised the consistent Pune Strykers 3-1 in their crucial encounter here on Sunday.

Exhibiting all-round excellence in all the vital departments, Comets descended on Pune Strikers rather dramatically and tellingly on their home ground after conceding an early goal, coming off a terrific effort from Argentine legend Mario Almada in the 10th minute. The goal triggered an immediate backlash as the Comets came looking for the equalizer and Sukhwinder ‘Gabbar’ Singh restored parity just two minutes later. Gurjinder Singh and Lloyd Stephenson took the match further from the Strykers. This was the third win for Comets and helped them to take their points at par with Strykers and Mumbai Marines with nine points each.

Comets’ goalkeeper Harjot Singh was in his elements, denying even the best of shots its intended destination as the Strykers came hard on them after Gabbar’s equaliser. Bikash Toppo and Almada pierced the Comets galaxy umpteen times, but ’keeper Harjot Singh was equal to the task and warded many goal-bound shots.

Earlier, in an evenly fought first quarter, Almada’s magic broke the deadlock in the crucial tie. The Argentinean star first created space for himself amidst a maze of legs and sticks before criss-crossing to the other side of the circle with amazing stick work, and then sent a power-packed diagonal backhander to see the ball smash to the other side of the net. It was a classic goal and changed the complexion of the game as both teams hit top gear.

The Comets attacked relentlessly and as a result, skipper Rehan Butt fetched his side’s first penalty corner. A move started after a shoddy set-piece drill, and Canadian star ‘Gabbar’ from the left wing leapt full length to trap a lose ball and whacked it home to bring up the equalizer. The match oscillated as Pune Strykers launched regular counters but Comets ‘keeper Harjot Singh was rock solid in defence.

The Comets had their moment again as Gurjinder Singh’s drag flick got deflected off the charger close to him, and fell into the top right corner in the 40th minute for the 2-1 lead. Lloyd Stephenson increased the lead further in the closing seconds of the third quarter. The wily striker side-stepped the chasing Stryker captain Ken Perreira on top of the D, and entering the striking area he dispatched the ball into the net for the Comets’ insurmountable lead.

The Strykers had their share of aggression but failed to capitalise on their chances, The team, known for its precision in penalty corners, failed miserably in this department despite being awarded four PCs in the last five minute.

M.No.24

DAY 12: Sunday 11.3.2012:

Wizards hold Marines in sensational finish

This was the ultimate city rivalry and despite the intense tussle on the field, both teams walked with their honours intact after 70 minutes of scintillating action. The visitors, Delhi Wizards, came out with a late stunner, four minutes before the hooter, to hold Mumbai Marines to a 2-2 draw in the Bridgestone World Series Hockey here on Sunday.

With goals from Devinder Walmiki and veteran Sandeep Michael, the Marines were cruising along to another famous victory but five minute before the hooter, penalty corner expert Vikramjeet Singh stunned the Marines with a neat conversion to deny them the party that they deserved.

Delhi Wizards were on an aggressive mode right from the beginning. They did not allow the Marines defence to settle down and forced them to commit mistakes. The strategy paid early dividend. Winger Gurwinder Singh sidestepped Devinder Walmiki to enter the D only to be openly obstructed near the baseline on the left. Vikramjeet Singh made no mistake with the resultant penalty corner to put the Wizards into the lead in the 11th minute.

The find of the Bridgestone WSH, Devinder Walmiki, who has twice won the ‘Player of the Match’ award, made quick amends in the second quarter. With a straight flick into the net off the first penalty corner, he delighted the masses on the stand with the equalizer in the 25th minute. The dramatic goal came after the Marines frittered away many sitters, with wayward and harried shots. An otherwise precise Troy Sutherland messed up his forehand against the open cage two minutes before Devinder’s stunner.

The deadly Wizards duo of Pakistani star Shakeel Abbassi and captain Rajpal Singh worked in tandem in the third quarter, and late in the last quarter, giving torrid time to the fragile Marines defence, but the visitors packed no venom in their shooting. Abbasi himself was the culprit in the 60th minute as he shot wayward from the left when he had all the time in the world to dispose the ball into the net.

On the other hand, the Marines got a freak breakaway move in the 46th minute. Midfield star Bimal Lakra effected a strong forehand that hit the charging goalkeeper Mrinal Chaubey, a defender shot the rebound high, but Sandeep Michael, lurking around, raised his stick to deflect the aerial ball into the net to bring up the 2-1 lead for the Marines.

In retaliation, the visitors mounted many attacks, only to see all their work go waste. Captain Adrian D’Souza, getting good support from entire defence line, warded them with extreme alacrity and athleticism. But ultimately, Vikramjeet Singh rescued them on time.

Mumbai relied on counter attacks, received three more penalty corners but could not convert them due to their imperfect drills. It made a difference in the end.