SUPER DIVISION LEAGUE

Army Red thrive on Sunil brace

Bangalore: Army Red put behind their early goal-scoring worries and slotted in four second-half goals to subdue Army Service Corps (ASC) 5-1 in their KSHA Super Division hockey league (second phase) opener on Saturday.

International SV Sunil found the target twice while captain Ignace Tirkey, Elizer Lakra and Rajesh Lakra struck one goal apiece for the winners. ASC’s lone goal came from the sticks of KP Deepu.

In another encounter, Canara Bank too started their league campaign in emphatic style, drubbing Pioneer Corps Training Centre 6-2.

Army Red were aggressive but their forwards came a cropper inside the rival penalty area early on with ASC defence line coming up with some inspirational show.

ASC custodian R Lakra did well to deny Tirkey in the 18th minute with an excellent reflex save while Jerome Kujur narrowly missed the
target in the very next minute.

It was ASC who took the lead against the run of play, when Deepu converted a penalty corner two minutes from half-time. But their joy was shortlived as Elizer Lakra levelled terms few moments before the hooter, deflecting in a long hit by CS Xalco near the 25-yard line.

ASC opened the second half with a better show but Army Red continued to call the shots, even going ahead in the 46th minute through Tirkey. That goal inspired the team and Sunil touched in a Elizer Lakra pass to make it 3-1 five minutes later. ASC challenged fizzled out fast when Rajesh Lakra was spot on with a penalty corner flick (63rd).

Sunil added to his rivals’ miseries four minutes later when he completed his double after a onetwo with Tirkey.