Bangalore Hi-Fliers outplay Chennai Veerans

Chandigarh, Dec 29 (UNI) Bangalore Hi-Fliers registered their third victory as they outplayed bottom-placed Chennai Veerans by 4-2 in the 14th match of the IV Premier Hockey League, here today.

With this triumph, Bangalore Hi-Fliers topped the standing with 11 points from five outings and virturally qualified for the semi-final.

They rounded up their seven-league programme with their last encounter against Sher-E-Jalandhar tomorrow. By scoring four goals today, Bangalore Hi-Fliers have so far netted 11 goals and conceded nine for a plus 2 goal difference.

Chennai Veerans have not faced any smooth sailing in the fourth edition of the tournament at they suffered their four successive drubbing from as many matches and their campaign for the semi-final spot has ended through they play their last fixture against Hyderaad Sultan on the New Year Day, 2008.

In four encounters, Chennai Veerans have scored just three goals and conceded 13 for a minus 10 goal difference.

Bangalore Fi-Fliers scored through Cheeyanna (17th, 56th), Len Aiyappa (40th, penalty stroke) and Hari Prasad (69th). Drag flicker Raghunath (14th, penalty corner) and Adam Sinclair (49th) reduced the margin for Chennai Veerans. Bangalore Hi-Fliers to three penalty corners but failed to convert any one. They were also awarded a stroke which Len Aiyappa converted.

Chennai Veerans forced just a solitary penalty corner in the 14th minute which Raghunath converted it.

Later, Orissa Steelers face Maratha Warriors in the 15th match of the PHL under lights tonight.

UNI