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Chandigarh, Dec 22: Sultans tamed Shers in their own den chalking out a convincing 3-0 victory in the fourth edition of the Premier Hockey League at the Sector 42 Stadium here today.

After a barren first half, where Hyderabad Sultans were denied a goal by the TV umpire, Hyderabad rode on a brace by P Lakra and added one more through a penalty corner flick by Diwakar Ram towards the end to notch an easy win and bagged full points from their second match. Earlier, they had lost 0-1 in the opener to Chandigarh Dynamos. Sher-e-Jalandhar failed to combine well and their forwardline looked disjointed. Sultans took control of the proceedings early on but could only force two short corners in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, a free hit from just outside the top of the circle saw skipper Sardara Singh put Pramod Kumar in possession on the left corner of the field.

Pramod sent a swift cross into the goalmouth and Didar Singh appeared to have deflected the ball home and umpire VB Singh awarded the goal.

However, with Shers protesting the decision he referred it to the TV umpire and it was overruled. A little later, Shers were reduced to 10 men when Mandeep Singh was sent out after he injured Adnan Maqsood of Pakistan.

Eight minutes into the third quarter, Hyderabad Sultans forged ahead from a brilliant field goal from the right flank. Put in by Nitin Kumar, Bikas Toppo entered the circle and gave a short pass to Pawal Lakra who found the target without any fuss. (1-0) In the 59th minute, Hyderabad increased the tally through another field goal. Saradara Singh gained the ball in the midfield and went on a solo till the 25-yardline sidestepping a couple of defenders and relayed it to the right to his brother Didar Singh.

Didar cut into the circle and took a shot at the goal from a narrow angle.

Shers' custodian Salman Akbar blocked the ball but fumbled with his clearance and the ball rolled from below his pads near the post.

Pawal Lakra sneaked in from behind and just tapped the ball into an open goal. (2-0) With five minutes to go for the hooter, Bikas Toppo earned Hyderabad's fifth of the six penalty corners. Sardara sent in the push and Nitin set it up perfectly for Diwakar Ram, whose low flick into the boards saw rival goalie stranded.

P Lakra was declared man of the match.

UNI