New Delhi, November 10: The third edition of the PHL, to be commenced on 2nd January 2007, will have a one-on-one provision

to decide winner of matches that do not produce out rightresults even after extra-time. As per the new provison, after extra

time, each team will have five penalty shoot outs each where 5 players will play a one on one with the goal keeper of the

opponent team. Each player will start with the ball on the 25 yard line and when the umpire blows the whistle, the player

will have maximum of 8 seconds to score a goal with only the goal-keeper defending the goal. The player can take as many

shots possible within the stipulated 8 seconds.

The team composition, except foreign component, has also been announced. As many as 20 foreign players are expected to add

international flavor to the league scheduled in Chennai and Chandigarh. ESPN STAR Sports also announced continuance of the

third umpire and special mikes for the on-field umpires, successfully implemented last year, as part of broadcasters’

strategy of making PHL telecast amongst the best in the world.

The captains for the PHL III teams are as follows:

Devesh Chauhan – Hyderabad Sultans

Dilip Tirkey – Orissa Steelers

Kanwalpreet Singh – Sher-e-Jalandhar

Viren Rasquinha – Maratha Warriors

Arjun Halappa – Bangalore Lions

Adam Sinclair – Chennai Veerans

Rajpal Singh – Chandigarh Dynamos

Speaking on the occasion, R C Venkateish, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd, said, “Since the inception of PHL,

we have aimed at making Hockey viewing more friendly for the audiences in India. Last year, with the introduction of the

third umpire and mobile mikes to the on field referees, domestic hockey got a taste of international standards. This year,

with new innovation of one-on-one, Indian hockey will witness an unprecedented charisma on the field. Our world class

production crew, with some of the finest equipment flown in from our Singapore offices, where we have a state of the art

production centre, will ensure that PHL telecast is amongst the best in the world.”

Elaborating on the new innovation, Venkateish added, The rule offers a much interesting and competing dimension for the

players as well as the viewers as unlike a normal penalty shootout, the one-on-one offers equal chances to the attacking and

defending players.”

SS Dasgupta, Managing Director, Leisure Sports Management, said, “To ensure an extravaganza again, finalizing the Tournament

Director for both the venues along with the umpire manager and IHF coordinators who will ensure local association involvement

for the tournaments as big as PHL. The setting up of the stadiums and other requirements at the venues will be completed by

end of December.” e previous two years, each game will have four quarters of 17 minutes and 30 seconds each, instead of the

two halves. The winner, within the stipulated time, will get three points for each victory, while the team winning in the

extra time will share the points 2:1.

Their will be two periods of extra time of 7 minutes and 30 seconds each. Like last year the first half of the extra time

will be played on a Silver Goal basis. In case, the second half of the extra time is required then like last year, the Golden

goal rule will be followed.

Every team will be given 2 x 2 minutes’ time outs in regulation time. These time outs will be mandatory and have to be taken

once in each half of play. In addition, each team will also be allowed 1 x 2 minute timeout which is not mandatory and can be

availed at any point during the regulation time. Each team will also be allowed 1 x 2 minute timeout which is non mandatory

and can be availed during the extra time period only.

The league this season has only one division, called the ‘Premier Division’ The League will follow a round robin format with

all teams playing each other twice. The top two teams from the round robin will play in ‘Best of Three’ finals to decide the

winner.

The winner of the third edition will take home Rs. 40 lakhs, while the runners up will carry Rs 15 lakhs. The manner of division of prize money between players and their respective associations shall be specified by IHF.