PHL 2007: Tenth Day, the 18th Jan 2007
Match No.13 (Sher-e-Jallandhar Vs Orissa Steelers)

Chennai, Jan 18: A tight contest in the Premier Hockey League went the way of Sher-e-Jalandhar after a controversial decision to award them a penalty stroke against Orissa Steelers at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Thursday. Baljit Singh Dhillon converted the stroke in the 60 th minute to seal the match 2-1 for the team from Punjab. Gagan Ajit Singh had put the Shers ahead in the 34th minute, but the lead was neutralised by Dutchman Tjeerd Steller’s drag flick in the 55 th.

The controversy surrounding the penalty stroke spoiled what was a good match until then. The Shers had earned a penalty corner, and Steelers’ goalkeeper Salman Akbar saved a stinging shot from Kanwalpreet. Defender Prabodh Tirkey cleared, and umpire Pranam Singh initially signalled a long corner. The Shers converged on him and demanded a referral to the third umpire. Pranam referred it and then pointed to the spot after the third umpire had judged that the ball had hit Prabodh Tirkey’s foot. The Steelers bitterly protested, but the decision had been made, and Baljit Dhillon beat goalkeeper Salman Akbar with a powerful push.

The match started with a flurry of attacks on either end. Gagan Ajit, Tejbir and Baljit Dhillon, the Shers’ star forwards, were matched against the defensive wiles of Dilip Tirkey, Prabodh Tirkey and William Xalco. At the other end, Sunil Ekka, Roshal Minz and Adrian Bruno kept harassing the Shers’ defence. The Steelers had the marginal edge, with Bimal Lakra playing a pivotal role in the middle, and outmanoeuvring Imran Khan and Devinderpal.

The Shers’ goal came out of the blue. Gurvinder Singh on the left found Gagan with a fabulous scoop that beat the entire defence. Even as the goalkeeper charged, Gagan beat him to the ball and rifled in a shot to bring the stadium alive.

The Steelers threw everything into the second half. Prabodh Tirkey was inspirational, backpedalling to cover up in the defence, distributing expertly in midfield, and moving up along the right to marshal the attack. Such was the energy he put in that he even made skipper Dilip look under par.

The equaliser came in the 55th minute. Adnan Zakir, inconspicuous until then, snaked into the ‘D’ and earned a penalty corner. Dilip Tirkey hammered a grounder into first-rusher Harpal Singh’s ankle. The defender hobbled even as a second penalty corner was awarded. This time the rusher was less quick, and the momentary hesitation gave Tjeerd Steller the time to flick into the net and equalise for the Steelers.

The Steelers now had the momentum, and the Shers were under pressure. But four minutes after the equaliser, a counter attack saw Gagan forcing a penalty corner. The move eventually led to the stroke and saw the Shers pick up three points to bring their tally to 10 from four matches. Steelers, who suffered their first loss of the league, remain on eight from four.

Result: Sher-E-Jalandhar bt Orissa Steelers 2-1

Shers: Gagan Ajit Singh 34th minute; Baljit Dhillon 60th.

Steelers: Tjeerd Steller 55th minute.

Penalty corners: Shers: 20th, 59th.

Steelers: 54th, 55th, 69th, 70th.