Magicians’ protest mars the joy of first Punjab victory

Despite winning their first match in four encounters today at the near full Mahindra Hockey Stadium in Mumbai, visiting Punjab Warriors have to wait for some more time to celebrate it.

Because, the losing team Mumbai Magicians have lodged a complaint with the technical officials. According to them, there were 12 players on the field in the last five minutes of the game.

The protest assumes significance because the Punjab team struck twice in the last five minutes, and thus from 2-2 in the 56th minute, the team romped home 4-2 win with a goal apiece in 65th and 70th minute.

As this duration of five, six minutes changed the complexion of the game, the protest needs to be viewed seriously.

The protest has been lodged within stipulated time, and the technical people will deliver their verdict only tomorrow.

The most awaited first HIL match in Mumbai got off to a good start, with both teams sharing two goals in the first quarter. But the match had to be stopped for about an hour due to one of the four floodlight provisions failed.

The match ended in favour of the visitors (score 4-2) the last goal coming simultaneously with the hooter.

Match Description:

The win earned Warriors five points, taking their tally to eight. Magicians remained in the bottom, with three points from as many games.

Dharamvir Singh scored twice, while skipper Jamie Dwyer and Ranjit Singh scored a goal each for the visitors.

The match began at an extraordinary pace, and Jaypee Punjab Warriors earned a penalty corner in the second minute. SV Sunil showed some superb skills inside the Magicians’ D, and his flick hit the foot of a Magicians’ defender. Referee made no hesitation in giving Warriors a penalty corner.

Magicians managed to save the penalty corner, but the exchange in the D ended up in Warriors getting a long corner. And this time the visitors took full advantage. Dharamvir Singh got a superb ball from right, and he made no mistake in beating PR Sreejesh to put the visitors ahead.

Warriors’ lead lasted for just three minutes. Warriors’ goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann made a brilliant of a fiercely struck reverse hit, but the rebound fell to Satbir Singh, who gathered the ball, and then smacked it into the net to restore parity for the hosts.

Magicians began once again with a good pace. Sandeep Singh showed his class when he won a tackle against the opposition skipper Jamie Dwyer, and then gave a brilliant pass to an unmarked Glen Turner in the 23rd minute. All Turner had to do was to beat the goalkeeper in one on one situation, but Stockmann cut down Turner’s angle, and the Dutch goalie diverted the ball away from post.

In the 33rd minute, Sandeep Singh took the responsibility on himself, and earned Magicians the lead.

Faisal Saari made a superb run from right flank, and earned a penalty corner for the Magicians. Sandeep Singh opted to hit the ball between Stockmann’s legs, which left the Dutch goalie bemused.

There were some good moves made in the third quarter by both sides, but none really threatened the goalkeepers. Malak Singh was prominent and worked hard to create something for Warriors, but his efforts were thwarted by the Magicians’ defenders.

The equaliser did eventually come, in the 56th minute. After getting the ball from the left flank, Warriors’ skipper Jamie Dwyer saw the goalkeeper Sreejesh advancing, and beat him with a beautiful chip. And just nine minutes later, the visitors went ahead. A long corner was sent towards Magicians’ goal post, a definite rising ball, which was deflected in by Ranjit Singh, who was standing right in front of the Magicians’ goal post. In the last minute, Dharamvir Singh added insult to injury, scoring his second, and helping Warriors end the game on a high.

At the post match press conference winning captain Jamie Dwyer said “This win is an important one for us. This team composition and rhythm seemed to work well for us. The first goal was very critical for us and we hope to continue this performance for the rest of the games”.

“It was a tough match for us. I think we played well in the first two quarters however in the last quarter we lost focus. We are a week behind in terms of our schedule due the happenings in the last week. However we are trying to pull our team together and work towards a better performance” said, Mumbai Magicians Coach, Ric Charlesworth

The Hero Hockey India League is organised by Hockey India with official sanction from the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The inaugural season is being played from January 14 to February 10, 2013 in a home-and-away format. The five franchisee-based teams, consisting of the top hockey players from India and around the world, will compete for the prestigious trophy. Hero Motocorp Ltd. is the Title Sponsor of the league while Airtel is the Associate Sponsor. Star Sports, who is the Broadcast Partner, will be telecasting all matches live.

In their next home match, Mumbai Magicians take on Delhi Waveriders tomorrow, 21st January, at the MHA stadium at 8 p.m. and Jaypee Punjab Warriors will play their next home match against Uttar Pradesh Wizards at Surjit Sing Hockey Stadium on 22nd January at 8 p.m.

Result: Jaypee Punjab Warriors 4 (Dharamvir Singh 4, 70; Jamie Dwyer 56, Ranjit Singh 65) beat Mumbai Magicians 2 (Satbir Singh 7, Sandeep Singh 33)

Hero goal of the Match: Jamie Dwyer

Man of the Match: Jamie Dwyer