Sher-E-Punjab enter World Series Hockey semifinals

CHENNAI: Chennai Cheetahs could not stop the attackers of league toppers Sher-E-Punjab in the World Series Hockey on Sunday and lost 2-4 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium.

It was Cheethas’ fifth loss in 11 matches while Sher-E-Punjab increased their lead over Chandigarh Comets (18) to seven points in the league table.

This match was crucial for Cheetahs (16 points from 11 matches) who were closely following Chandigarh Comets and Karnataka Lions (18 from 12 games). Sher-E-Punjab never allowed the Cheetahs any chance after the first few minutes.

Sher-E-Punjab attacked from the word go. But it was the home side that scored against the run of play when former India striker Adam Sinclair converted a brilliant Vikram Pillay pass in the seventh minute. But the Cheetahs lead was short-lived as Sher-E-Punjab defender Vikramjeet Singh scored the equalizer through a penalty-corner in the 13th minute.

Harpreet Singh converted their second penalty corner of the day in the 22nd minute to increase the lead for Punjab but Cheetahs ace drag-flicker Imran Warsi, who is the top scorer with 16 goals so far, was spot on to convert a penalty-corner to make it 2-2 in the 32nd minute.

Former India star Deepak Thakur played brilliantly for Sher-E-Punjab and along with Mandeep Antil in the forward-line, invaded the Cheetahs goalmouth time and again. For the Cheetahs Vikram was impressive on the field and the former Indian play-maker tried his best to generate attacks with the help of skipper Brent Livermore.

Sher-E-Punjab increased the lead 3-2 through their foreign import Matthew Hotchkis in the 43rd minute. Though, there was a confusion regarding Matthews’s goal when the Cheetahs protested as they thought the shot was taken from outside the D. Field umpires Cariappa AD and Satinder Kumar Sharma referred the decision to video umpire Stewart Dearing who ruled in favour of Sher-E-Pinjab.

Sher-E-Pinjab scored again through former India forward Gagan Ajit Singh in the 68th minute.