MUMBAI: Vikramjeet Singh helped Delhi Wizards salvage a crucial point by holding Mumbai Marines 2-2 in a World Series Hockey match on Sunday. The Wizards started well with Vikramjeet helping them taking the lead in the 12th minute. But Marines fought back to draw level in the 26th minute through Devender Walmiki.
When former India player Sandeep Michael scored a field goal in the 45th minute, it seemed as if Delhi were heading towards their fourth defeat of the tournament. But Vikramjeet slammed home in the 67th minute to ensure a point
for Wizards.
First loss for Strykers
Earlier, Chandigarh Comets made a spirited comeback to hand hosts Pune Strykers a 3-1 loss. It was Pune’s first loss of the tournament. Strykers’ attack, spearheaded by Bikash Toppo, Argentine Mario Almada, Roshan Minz and Damandeep Singh kept the Chandigarh defense on their toes, but the players failed to capitalise on the chances that came their way.
Pune drew the first blood in the 11th minute through Almada after Minz did the spade work from the right flank. Their joy, however, was short lived as Chandigarh regrouped well through Pakistani Rehan Butt and Canadian Gabbar Singh and earned their first penalty corner. Although the visitors failed to convert, Tryon Pereira’s weak clearance found the unmarked Gabbar, who slammed home to draw level.
Chandigarh went up when Gurjinder Singh converted a penalty corner in the third quarter. Soon after they put the issue beyond their rivals when Lloyd Stephenson scored in the 50th minute.