Mumbai Marines score come-from-behind win over Karnataka Lions in WSH
BANGALORE: The Mumbai Marines proved too hot for the Karnataka Lions as the hosts suffered a 1-2 defeat to the visitors during a World Series Hockey match at the KSHA stadium on Thursday.
Joga Singh’s 57th minute goal turned out to be the match winner as Marines marched atop the table with nine points while the Lions suffered their fourth defeat in the tournament.
After their morale boosting victory over Chandigarh Comets, the Lions seemed to be in control of the game for most part, but once the Marines found their rhythm, they pushed the Lions on the backfoot.
Lions’ star drag-flicker Len Aiyappa, who scored a hat-trick in their previous game against Comets, put the Lions ahead in the 17th minute. Marines came into the third quarter with renewed vigour and Devendra Walmiki’s low dragflick saw the visitors restore parity in the 42nd minute. Thereafter the Marines cut lose making repeated forays into the rival circle. In doing so, Marines snatched the lead in the 57th minute through Joga.
The athletic striker stole the ball from Lions defender Aiyappa and unleashed a powerful drive that crashed into the net. For Lions, striker Jarnail Singh came up with a series of solo efforts but failed to convert his speedy runs into goals as he lacked support.
Comets defeat Punjab 3-1
Chandigarh: Local favourites Chandigarh Comets registered only their second win in the inaugural World Series Hockey tournament, defeating Sher-e-Punjab 3-1 in a keenly contested match on Thursday.
The Comets scored their first goal as early as in the second minute through Gurjinder Singh, who converted a penalty corner. Candian Sukhwinder Singh Gabbar then doubled the scoreline for the hosts in the ninth minute of the first quarter.
For Punjab, Matthew Hotchkis was the lone goal scorer in the seventh minute of the last quarter.
Gurjinder was again in the thick of action in the 12th minute of the fourth and last quarter scoring another via a penalty corner.