World Series Hockey: Lions knocked out in the semifinals

By DNA Correspondent

Though it was a thrilling game, the dots just did not connect for Karnataka Lions during their semifinal match against Sher-e-Punjab in the World Series Hockey here. The visitors emerged 4-1 victors.

With the likes of Gagan Ajit Singh, Deepak Thakur and Prabhjot Singh in the team, it was always going to be a challenge for Lions, who started without their injured winger Ravipal Singh. In his absence, the team’s attacks looked rather disjointed.

Lions scored first when Innocent Kullu took a free hit from the left flank. The ball rose quite high and in his quest to clear, Punjab defender Harpreet Singh ended up lobbing the ball in the air.

Lions’ Naveen Kumar, who was close by, slammed the ball into the goal.

Punjab equalised in the 17th minute in an equally dramatic penalty corner. Harpreet Singh took the drag flick but the ball was defended by Karnataka goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan. However, Matthew Hotchkis, who was around the goal on the right flank, he slammed the ball in.

Karamjit Singh made it 2-1 for Punjab in the 39th minute. Getting the ball inside the striking circle, he let loose an absolute stunner of a reverse hit that met with no resistance from the Karnataka defence.

Punjab continued with their attacking game. They had two sure chances but missed out. Prabhjot Singh slammed the ball into the goal from just inside the circle, but it was disallowed. A little later, Punjab were awarded a penalty stroke but Lions goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan stopped the stroke taken by Hotchkis. Later too, Chauhan brought off some fine saves.

Later, Lions earned a penalty corner but Arjun Antil botched it up.
Punjab earned four short corners in a row and the last one (in the 60th minute) was converted by Harpreet Singh to make it 3-1 for the visitors. Prabhjot then scored off a superb run from beyond the midfield.