Lions upset strykers 3-2

BANGALORE: Karnataka Lions’ Malaysian striker Mohd Razdi Rodzhaninzam flung his stick out from just inside the striking circle to a long clearance from Pakistan’s Maqsood Adnan. The ball deflected towards the top far post and landed into the cage for a late match-winner.

That left Pune Strykers dejected and disappointed as they crashed to a 2-3 defeat in the World Series Hockey league clash at the KSHA Stadium on Wednedsay.

Ravipal Singh scored in the 8th minute and Len Aiyappa converted a short corner in the 12th to give the home team a 2-0 lead. But by the end of the second quarter, it was 2-2 as the Pune team struck through Bangalore boy Nikkin Thimmaiah and Bikash Topo before the Malaysian spoilt their party in the end. Karnataka Lions climbed to the 6th spot for the first time with 12 points from 10 games having won four and lost six.

Initially it looked as though Karnataka Lions would notch up a big victory as they went 2-0 up by the 12th minute.

Pune then fought back to restore parity and made it 2-2.

It looked headed for a draw when the goal came like a bolt from the blue.

The Lions attacked from the word go as skipper Arjun Halappa led from the front in every way. His swift run down the right culminated in a sharp centre that went past the Pune defence and Ravipal Singh was on hand to bang it home. They kept up the tempo and forced a penalty corner four minutes later. Len Aiyappa was bang on target as his drag-flick nestled into the top for corner. Pune struck in the 16th through local boy Nitin Thimmaiah.

Lions’ efforts bore fruit just 3 minutes to the hooter with that fortuitous touch that Razdi provided as the team and its supporters went home with a song on their lips.

Punjab Pip Mumbai

Jalandhar: Though Sher- E-Punjab continue to maintain their winning rythm in the series, Mumbai Marines impressed here on Wednesday, to expose the chinks in the armour of the table leaders.

The Shers won a tight contest against the Marines 2-1, but struggled to get the breakthroughs that they have come to be known for in this tournament.

New hero in their ranks, Bikramjeet Singh struck the first goal and then the invincible Deepak Thakur punched the winner while Hari Prasad posted in between to make a match of it.