Shers down Veerans 2-0 to register first win in PHL

Chandigarh, Dec 23 (UNI) After losing their first encounter, Sher-e-Jalandhar opened their account with a 2-0 win over Chennai Veerans in the second match of the day in the fourth edition of the Premier Hockey League (PHL) at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here today.

The match was fiercely fought in the first two quarters with Chennai Veerans keeping the Shers' forwards at bay. Veerans too created good moves with the midfield supporting the frontline but the forwards failed to capitalize on the chances.

Two goals in the space of three minutes early in the third quarter by Shers put the match beyond Veerans, who tried hard to come back into the match in the last quarter.

Three minutes into the third quarter, Shers initiated a move on the left flank and Dilawar Hussain moved into the circle on the left goal line and sent a reverse pass to an unmarked Gagan Ajit Singh near the penalty spot. Gagan received the ball, positioned himself and shot into the goal beating Veerans' custodian Sreejesh to put Shers in the lead.

Three minutes later, Shers forced the third of their four penalty corners and converted it to make it 2-0. With skipper Kanwalpreet failing to convert the earlier two short corners with his drag flicks, Shers resorted to an indirect variation. Prabhdeep stopped the ball and relayed it to his right and Jugraj took a weak grounder which rolled into the goal after Sreejesh fumbled with the ball.

Dilawar Hussain, from Pakistan, who was active in the Shers' frontline was declared man of the match.

Shers, who lost to Hyderabad Sultans 0-3 in their opener yesterday, now have three points from two matches. For Veerans this was the second straight defeat after their 1-4 loss to Maratha Warriors.

UNI