Chandigarh, Dec 24: Hyderabad Sultans leading for the better part of the match were forced into the shoot-out by a resilient Orissa Steelers but managed to garner two points winning the battle of `strokes’ 4-3 in the fourth edition of the Premier Hockey League at the Sector 42 Hockey stadium under lights here on Monday.
After being goalless in the first two quarters, Hyderabad Sultans forced their first short corner in the 40th minute and took the lead. But a resurgent Orissa fought back and notched the equalizer five minutes before the hooter to push the match into the extra-time.
Orissa dominated the first five-minutes of the extra-time for the silver goal but Hyderabad managed to hold it own and the match went into tie-breaker where each of the five stroke-takers gets eight seconds to score the goal starting from the 25-yard line with a one-on-one battle with the goalkeeper.
For Hyderabad, Sardar Singh and Pramod Kumar who took the first two strokes were successful while both Prabodh Tirkey and Ajitesh Roy failed for Orissa. However, the next two for Hyderabad, Didar Singh and Chengappa messed up things and Orissa’s Kim Chul and Roshan Minz converted to make the scores 2-2 after four strokes. Pawal Lakra made no mistake for Hyderabad scoring through Orissa goalie’s legs and all eyes were on Joga Singh, the last man for Orissa. Hyderabad’s custodian Oscar Tar Weme stretched and saved with his left palm to signal victory for Hyderabad.
Earlier, Diwakar Ram put Hyderabad in the lead in the 40th minute scoring the first of their three short corners while Jitender Saroha got the equalizer for Orissa in the 65 th minute also from a drag flick from the fourth of their five short corners.
Hyderabad goalkeeper, Oscar Tar Weme, who also made a couple of good saves in the regulation time was declared man of the match for his save in the shoot out.
Image by Dharam Diwakar COurtesy: ESPN