Warriors edge out UP Wizards
28 Jan 2013 2:12 AM GMT
S V Sunil scored two goals to help Jaypee Punjab Warriors edge past hosts Uttar Pradesh Wizards 4-3 in a round-robin match to move to the third spot in the inaugural Hockey India League on Sunday.
By virtue of this win Punjab are lying third in the points table with 20 points from seven games, behind table toppers Delhi Waveriders (27) and second-placed Ranchi Rhinos (22). UP Wizards are fourth in the standings with 17 points from seven games.
SV Sunil’s double strike and drag-flicks from Jamie Dwyer and Christopher Ciriello, all coming in the first quarter, were enough to earn Warriors full five points. Wizards’ goals came from the sticks of Sander Baart, Raghunath and Jeroen Hertzberger.
Playing away, the Warriors got off to a thrilling start. A brilliant combined team attack was converted into a goal by an ever alert Sunil in the second minute to put the visitors 1-0 ahead.
 Two minutes later, Sunil doubled the Punjab side’s scoreline with a superb effort.
From the onset, the Warriors kept on attacking the Wizards’ defence, which rattled the UP side. Another smart move in the eighth minute earned Warriors their first penalty corner of the game, and Australian Dwyer was spot on with his drag-flick, increasing the visitors’ lead.
Trailing by three goals, the Wizards began to find their feet back slowly. In the 11th minute, the hosts made a clever move and Baart managed to put Wizards on the scoreboard with a neat strike.
But the Wizards’ hopes of making a strong comeback were thrashed by the visitors to restore their three goal lead.
By virtue of this win Punjab are lying third in the points table with 20 points from seven games, behind table toppers Delhi Waveriders (27) and second-placed Ranchi Rhinos (22). UP Wizards are fourth in the standings with 17 points from seven games.
SV Sunil’s double strike and drag-flicks from Jamie Dwyer and Christopher Ciriello, all coming in the first quarter, were enough to earn Warriors full five points. Wizards’ goals came from the sticks of Sander Baart, Raghunath and Jeroen Hertzberger.
Playing away, the Warriors got off to a thrilling start. A brilliant combined team attack was converted into a goal by an ever alert Sunil in the second minute to put the visitors 1-0 ahead.
 Two minutes later, Sunil doubled the Punjab side’s scoreline with a superb effort.
From the onset, the Warriors kept on attacking the Wizards’ defence, which rattled the UP side. Another smart move in the eighth minute earned Warriors their first penalty corner of the game, and Australian Dwyer was spot on with his drag-flick, increasing the visitors’ lead.
Trailing by three goals, the Wizards began to find their feet back slowly. In the 11th minute, the hosts made a clever move and Baart managed to put Wizards on the scoreboard with a neat strike.
But the Wizards’ hopes of making a strong comeback were thrashed by the visitors to restore their three goal lead.
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