Mohali, January 25, 2015: Taking their performance a
notch higher in the ongoing Hero Hockey India League 2015, Jaypee Punjab
Warriors drubbed Kalinga Lancers by 4-2 and secured their first win the
3rd edition of the Hero Hockey India League at their home turf in Mohali
at the International Hockey Stadium, today.
Giving a speedy start to the game, both Kalinga Lancers and
Jaypee Punjab Warriors were seen in an attacking mode, trying to penetrate each
other’s D and taking the lead in the game from the first quarter itself.
It was only in the 8th minute of the game when Lalit Upadhyay of Kalinga
Lancers made a break-through with the help of a counter attack and sliced in a
field goal beating Jaypee Punjab Warriors’ Jaap Stockmann and helping
Kalinga Lancers to take the early lead in the game over the home team.
The second quarter of the game saw Jaypee Punjab Warriors
playing even more aggressive game in order to level to scores with the visiting
team. Both Kalinga Lancers and Jaypee Punjab Warriors managed to secure a
penalty corner each, but both failed to convert their respective opportunities
into a goal. It was only when the Jaypee Punjab Warriors secured a second
penalty corner opportunity in the second quarter of the game itself, Jamie
Dwyer made no mistakes in converting it into a goal and levelled the scores
with Kalinga Lancers. Continuing the dominating spree in the game now,
Jaypee Punjab Warriors’ Jamie Dwyer stroked-in a magnificent field goal in the
28th minute and snatched away the lead by 2-1 over Kalinga Lancers, just
before the half time whistle.
Where both the teams kept their speedy and attacking form
upbeat, even in the quarter of the match, their respective defence line-up was
also seen getting stronger with every minute. Jaypee Punjab Warriors’
drag-flicker Sandeep Singh opened his goal account for the day in the third
quarter itself when he skilfully converted a penalty corner and helped the team
take the lead further ahead by 3-1. Kalinga Lancers’ repeated efforts to
reduce the score margin, failed to yield results for the team in the third
quarter.
Jaypee Punjab Warriors were seen in full swing in the last
quarter of the match as well, as the home team was in no mood to let the
Kalinga Lancers do any damage. Dharamvir Singh added another goal to
Jaypee Punjab Warriors’ account when he carved his way out and pierced in a
field goal beating Kalinga Lancers’ goalkeeper in the 50th minute and
taking the lead to 4-1. Kalinga Lancers picked up pace and were seen
keeping the game alive when Gurjinder Singh made no mistakes in converting a
penalty corner and reducing the score to 4-2. Kalinga Lancers were restricted
from doing any further damage as the Jaypee Punjab Warriors registered
their first win in the Hero Hockey India League 2015 at their home turf.
Speaking on today's performance Captain and Man-of-the-Match
Jamie Dwyer of Jaypee Punjab Warriors said, "We are coming out good
but we need to further improve ourselves. We are working on our
defence and that is an area we are focussing the most during our practice.
Sandeep and Chris are flicking good during practice sessions and they need to
start incorporating during play. Playing at your home turf or away does
not matter and we focus on winning. The aim is to reach the semi-finals and I
think our 100% best will come out in the last two matches of the League."
Speaking post their impressive win, Dharamvir Singh of
Jaypee Punjab Warriors said, "We came back well in the match post
Kalinga Lancers’ initial goal today. Jamie's back to back goals boosted
everyone’s morale and we controlled the match thereafter. We are looking
forward to our match tomorrowand the aim is to win yet again."
Speaking post their loss, Kalinga Lancers’ Head Coach Jude
Felix said,"Punjab is one of the top
teams of the League as well as tough one and we had a good match with them
today. There were patches where the team did not perform well but if I
have to rate the performance of the team, they are improving with every match
and practice sessions.”
Speaking after the match, Captain Vickram Kanth of Kalinga
Lancers said, "It was a new learning today post our last match and we
will take this learning ahead in our next match. The aim is to grow from
here and continue our good form in league."
Hero Goal of the Match – Dharamvir Singh (Jaypee Punjab
Warriors)
Man of the Match – Jamie Dwyer of (Jaypee Punjab
Warriors)
HIL Press release
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