Badhshahs reign over Comets in 4-3 thriller in Bridgestone WSH

Laxman stars with 2 goals; last 4 goals came in 7 minutes

Chandigarh, February 29: Bhopal Badshahs were off to a great start in the inaugural match of the Bridgestone World Series Hockey, clinching full three points. The Badshahs beat Chandigarh Comets 4-3 in a thriller which went down to the wires, much to the joy of the packed Sector-42 Stadium here late Wednesday.

The last quarter witnessed four goals within a span of seven minutes as Badshahs came from behind, firing all cylinders after trailing 1-2 at the end of the third quarter. The scorers for the winners were Laxman Baskaran (sixth and 63rd minute), Geowynee Kyle Gamiet (26th minute) and Affan Yousuf (61st minute) while Gurjinder Singh struck a brace (22nd minute & 57th minute) and Jasjit Kular Singh scored the other goal (29th minute).

The match was played at a fast pace, the four quarters rule which was introduced for the first time in Indian hockey saw both the coaches try some interesting variations. Badshahs started the match on an attacking note which brought them quick dividend. Skipper Sameer Dad and Casey Henwood controlled the game well for the visitors in the first quarter, but there was surprise in store for them.

The Comets began the second quarter aggressively and were able to sustain the pressure till the three-fourth of the match. Comets impressed in almost all department in the next two quarters, creating havoc through their penalty-corner execution and shutting the door on the Badshahs completely.

The pendulum oscillated again as the astute Badshahs coach Vasudean Baskaran carried out his trump cards to the final phase, and his boys kept their cool and dominated with superior ball possession and smart positional play. The young Laxman, showed strong nerves and didn’t let the big stage affect his free style of playing or the fact that he was playing under his father as the coach. For the records, Laxman scored the first goal in the inaugural edition of the biggest hockey tournament.

The Bridgestone World Series Hockey will be held from February 29 to April 2, 2012, and will involve 200 leading players — Indian and international — who will showcase their talent in 59 matches and vie for the biggest prize money hockey tournament in the world.

The 8 venues for the inaugural edition of the league are Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Jalandhar, Mumbai and Pune. Chandigarh Comets will face-off against Bhopal Badshahs in the first tie of the tournament on their home ground.