Marines’ slide continues in World Series Hockey

MUMBAI: Mumbai Marines’ slide continued as they lost their second consecutive match, going down 2-4 to Karnataka Lions in the World Series Hockey match at Churchgate’s Mahindra Stadium on Friday.

Marines took the lead through Joga Singh in the sixth minute. But Arjun Halappa not only drew parity for the Lions in the 20th minute, he also helped them take the lead five minutes later.

Strikes from Naveen Kumar (32) and Len Aiyappa (44) took the match away from Marines’ grasp. Bimal Lakra, however found the target in the 63rd minute to reduce the margin of defeat.

Earlier in the day, Sher-e-Punjab beat Chandigarh Comets 5-2. Deepak Thakur struck thrice in the match, breaking the deadlock in the 25th minute, which practically opened the floodgates for Sher-e-Punjab.

In the span of five minutes, the hosts struck twice through medio VS Vinaya (31st minute) and penalty-corner specialist Harpreet Singh (35th minute).

Sher Singh struck back for Comets after halftime in the 56th minute, but a rampaging Thakur terrorized the Comets camp with two more goals within three minutes (57th and 60th minute respectively). Green’s conversion after the hooter stood merely for the record.