HHIL M.No.6: Raghunath’s hattrick takes magic out of Mumbai

Despite taking two-goal lead and their goalie managing to thwart a penalty stroke, Mumbai lost the match as it progressed to end up 3-5 losers on Day 5 Match 6 of Hero Hockey India League in Mumbai

Gurjinder struck an impeccable penalty corner to gladden the huge crowd of Mumbai and then when the took the second penalty corner, the rival goalie managed to block, but Raghu could not keep the rebound clearance low, leaving lurking Glen Turner to whack it inside net raising his stick above the shoulder.

So, two goals out of two penalty corners, the host side was progressing towards their fist win in two matches, but the visitors showed better sense to first cancel out the arrears and once that is done to build up two more goals to take the match out of the reach of the hosts.

The rescue act was accomplished by Lucknow based team’s mainstay Raghunath, who converted three penalty corners, and then SK Uthappa put the days’ victor beyond doubt, with a steady field goal.

In fact what turned the tide in favour in the early stages was youngster Siddharth Shankar, who lobbed the ball above the fallen goalie to bring the score 3-2, after the team was even at 2-2.

Mumbai team showed poor defences when needed, often giving out penalty corners, giving ample scope for Raghunath, who missed out his first two tries with Vikas Pilly doing a bulwark work at the left side of goalie Harte.

its here understanding of the game and its sense, Raghus rode to famous victory today.

After the left side seemed impregnable, he changed his target space, low right pushes, first conversion hitting the right post before spunning in to the cage and the next to the left of goalie, who sensed the flight but the velocity was high the ball just went in.

But what made Raghu to win all the three awards of the Day was the way he struck his third goal.

As the pushed ball was sent to him, he took a 90 degree turn to place the ball to other, who was not there. Sensing the trouble, he intuitively took full turn, 180, and made a hard push to the right corner, leaving the ball to sound side boards.

This goal is great in all sense, and led to famous victory of the visitors