Delhi Wizards tame Karnataka Lions in a tense match in Delhi.
Delhi, Friday, 2nd March, 2012: Flying on the support of the vast home crowd, Delhi Wizards came out with flying colours against Karnataka Lions to start their World Series Hockey campaign on a winning note.
Delhi Wizards struck thrice against a late brace by the Lions in a tense encounter in Delhi on Friday.
Egged on by the home support and amidst drum beats, Delhi Wizards were quick on the business of scoring, striking a goal apiece within the first two-minutes of first and second quarters.
Karnataka Lions came out with vengeance and replied with a goal in the second and third quarters. Captain Rajpal Singh came on his own in the 51st minute to post the stunner of a winner and deservedly clinched the Man of the Match honour.
Vikramjeet Singh converted Delhi’s first penalty corner in the 3rd minute to set the pace. The Lions launched many attacks but the defence of home side thwarted those surges with poise and patience.
The foreign power in the Delhi pack came to the fore during its second goal. Star striker Philip Sunkel trapped a midfield pass at the right flag area, and pushed it through a lightening reverse to Shakeel Abbasi. The Pakistani forward, the live-wire today running like a gazelle lunged forward to deflect
with one hand. The ball crashed into the left side of the cage with rival goalkeeper stranded.
Immaculately conceived and geometrically executed, the 19th minute shocker sent the crowd in to a dizzy.
Spurred by the whiplash of a goal, Karnataka Lions came out with counter attacks. Two of India’s most experienced players Dhanraj Pillay and Arjun Halappa came on their own, and created ample number
of chances. Both of them who started as linkmen moved up later in the match to assist the attack.
Arjun himself came close to scoring in the dying moments of half time in vain. Veteran Dhanraj Pillay, still evoking awe in the attack, sent a parallel pass which Arjun just missed to deflect from close range.
Arjun made enough amends soon after the half time. Showing a clean pair of heels, he outwitted half a dozen defenders, and sent a threatening cross from right into the circle. Hawkish Dhanraj trapped it, and gently short-passed to an alert winger Girsev Singh (36th minute).
Dhanraj, it was again, who set up the Lions to roar. With a spurt of speed, he trapped the ball on the top of circle, turned gently and put Ravi Pal Singh on strike. The pivot did not miss the chance. His whiplash of a forehand whistled past Olympian goalie Devesh Chauhan (2-2) in the 48th minute.
Fast on feet, skipper Rajpal Singh ran fast to deflect a cross from almost impossible angle, but summoned all his skills to bounce on to put his side up again. This 51st minute goal settled the issue and was today’s match-winner.