Punjab Warriors outsmart UP Wizards

By Asheem Mukerji

LUCKNOW: It was a disappointing weekend for Uttar Pradesh Wizards as Punjab Warriors handed the hosts their third consecutive defeat in the Hockey India League on Sunday. Warriors beat the Wizards 4-3.

Playing like a bunch of schoolboys, the Wizards were blown away as the Warriors rained goals on a bright sunny day at the Dhyan Chand stadium. Wizards were down 1-4 in the first quarter and after that it was all about catching up for them.

The hosts struck two goals in the final quarter to close the gap but the 3-4 defeat pulled down the side to the fourth spot with 17 points, while Punjab moved ahead of them into third with 20 points.

Delhi Waveriders are sitting pretty at the top of the table with 27 points from just six games followed by Ranchi Rhinos with 22 points from as many matches. Bringing up the rear is Mumbai Magicians with six points from six matches.

“It was as if we didn’t play in the first seven minutes,” said a furious Roelant Oltmans, the Wizards coach. That was the time when the visitors struck thrice to leave the holiday home crowd stunned. SV Sunil latched on to fine passes to breach the UP defence twice, first in the second and then in the fourth minute to make it a dream start for Punjab. And then skipper Jamie Dwyer converted a penalty corner in the eighth minute to rub salt into Wizards’ wounds. In fact, it was Dwyer who was instrumental in setting up the earlier two goals too. He was later declared the man-of-the-match.

Once that early madness was over, UP struck back through David Alegre in the 11th minute to give crowd something to cheer to.

The Warriors’ coach Barry Dancer attributed the win to the attacking mode the side adopted in the opening minutes.

“It was a crucial game, and I am happy that we go back with a win from here,” he said.

Monday’s match: Ranchi Rhinos v/s Mumbai Magicians Live on Star Sports 8pm onwards