Punjab beat Chennai 4-2, reach semifinals of WSH

Table-toppers Sher-E-Punjab notched up a clinical 4-2 victory over local favourites Chennai Cheetahs to advance to the semi-finals of the World Series Hockey here tonight.

Playing their 12th league match here at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium tonight, Bikramjit Singh converted Punjab’s second penalty corner in the 12th minute to equalise 1-1 after the hosts drew the first blood in the 6th minute.

International Adam Sinclair came up with peach of a goal utilising a tailor-made cross by Vikram Pillay to put the hosts ahead.

In the second half, Imran Warsi converted Cheetah’s first of the three penalty corners and in the 21st minute Harpreet Singh neutralised the score 2-2.

In the 43rd minute, Australian Mathew Hotchkis of Punjab increased the tally 3-2 and substitute Gagan Ajit Singh made it 4-2 during the fag end of the match.

With three more matches to go in the league phase, Cheetahs need to win at least two of their matches to progress to the semi final as they are placed in the fourth spot with

16 points.

It has been a pathetic performance at home by the Cheetahs as they have lost five matches and won as many ties besides a drawn match, while Sher-E-Punjab have won eight of their 12 matches, drew one and lost three to tally 25 points and have scored 38 goals and yielded 25.