Sher-E-Punjab reigns supreme

NANDAKUMAR MARAR

Sher-E-Punjab’s deadly forwardline overwhelmed Pune Strykers 5-2 in the Bridgestone World Series Hockey (WSH) final on Monday.

V.S. Vinaya, with his tireless display in the defensive and offensive half, scored first for Sher-E-Punjab. Former India strikers Deepak Thakur and Prabhjot Singh were also on target in the big game as the favourite played true to form.

Stunning effort

Prabhjot sealed the victory with a stunning individual effort, darting through the Pune half on a diagonal run into the circle and finishing with a crisp backhander to the roof.

Two breathtaking strikes, a Tyron Pereira field goal and an indirect penalty corner drill executed by Vinaya, stood out in the pulsating first quarter played at the MHA Mahindra Stadium.

Pune’s young forward Pereira bulged the net with an acute angle scoop on the right, looping the ball beyond the goalkeeper adjusting position in anticipation of a cross.

The fourth minute breakthrough was neutralised by Vinaya, who waited patiently as the ball rolled towards him and scooped home.

Pune defenders charged out, targeting Gurjinder and Harpal and then stood frozen for a moment as the trick was played out.

Pune’s semifinal hero Gurpreet Singh stood his ground under the bar, blocking livewire Prabhjot after Gagan and Thakur linked up in a display of telepathic understanding.

Deceptive pass

Gagan deceived the defence with a deceptive pass on the run into space on the right. Thakur read the move to receive on the goalline, cut in and switch to his teammate.

Vinay was a constant threat to Pune’s ambitions, overlapping on the right for passes which were then swiftly relayed into the goalmouth. He also appeared in his goalmouth to foil forwards with timely blocks.

Thakur got into the act in the 33rd minute, anticipating a forward pass from Matthew Hotchkis and slotting home from the top of the circle.

Punjab’s sharper strikers made better use of space and combined better than their hardworking rivals to cross over just a shade ahead 2-1 at half-time.

Pune wrested back ball possession in the third quarter, running with the ball.

Prabhjot sounded the boards finally after numerous on-the-run attempts, this time crashing a backhander past Gurpreet, punishing a distracted rival defence.

The first season champion earned Rs. 4 crore and second-placed team Rs. 2 crore.

The losing semifinalists — Chandigarh Comets and Karnataka Lions — got Rs. 1 crore each.

Gurjinder and Imran Warsi of Chennai Cheetahs shared the Golden Stick award for scoring most number of goals (19), worth Rs. 25 lakh. Gurjinder was also named Player-of-the-Tournament.

The result: Sher-E-Punjab 5 (V.S. Vinaya, Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh 2, Harpreet Singh) bt Pune Strykers 2 (Tryon Pereira, Simrandeep Randhawa).