Thakur roars for Shers, beat Marines 3-2 in World Series Hockey

MUMBAI: If it was goals that mattered then Sher-e-Punjab got that. The visitors scored three to Mumbai Marines’ two as they walked away with a victory in the World Series Hockey (WSH) match at the BHA Mahindra Stadium on Wednesday.

Marines played smartly. They soaked in the initial pressure and then let Shers walk into a honey-trap and hit them on the counters.

Shers had the more traditional attacking style of play, trying to overwhelm their opponents. The Shers struck in the opening minute with Tariq Aziz scoring from a long corner melee.

Marines replied in the 12th minute with Joga Singh scoring off a smart behind-his-back deflection. Marines nearly ambushed Shers about three or four times in the first half. But the goal somehow eluded them.

In the second half, Shers came out strong again and laid siege at the Marines’ territory and even earned a corner, but the hosts defended smartly to keep out the Shers.

Marines’ defender Ajmer Singh was a picture of solidity as he kept the opponents at bay. Shers took the lead again through a drag flick as Deepak Thakur deflected the push.

Shers made it 3-1 when a terrible defensive error from former India captain Prabodh Tirkey failed to trap a push and Thakur was at hand to deflect it in.

Devinder Walmiki scored the second for Mumbai Marines and raised the excitement levels. Marines earned their first penalty corner and Walmiki, brother of Yuvraj, converted it spectacularly.

In the day’s second game, Chandigarh Comets defended bravely to register a narrow 1-0 win over Delhi Wizards. Gurjinder Singh converted from the Comets’ third penalty corner in the 64th minute to hand the Wizards a loss that severely dents their chances of a place in the semis.