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'Warriors' overcome 'Sultans'
Maratha Warriors edged out defending champions Hyderabad Sultans 2-1.
The second edition of the Premier Hockey League got off to a high voltage start on Thursday with the Maratha Warriors brushing aside the challenge of defending champions Hyderabad Sultan 2-1.
Despite continuous pressure from Hyderabad Sultan, it was Shivender Singh for the Maratha Warriors to strike the board through a powerful reverse shot to take his team one nil up in the 17 minute of the first half.
An exemplary stick work from Pakistan's Shakeel Abbasi went in vain as Hyderabad Sultan failed to capitalise on several excellent moves made by Samir Dad, Vikram Pillay and others.
Hemant Ghethe converted a field goal in the 42nd minute of the second half to give his team a lead of two goals.
Towards the fag end of he match Devender Singh reduced the margin by scoring the lone goal for the defending champions.
Former Indian captain Dhanraj Pillay made some valiant attacks on the goal mouth of the losers.
With this win Maratha Warriors pocketed three points.
Both the teams missed several golden chances to score. Pakistan's Imran Warsi direct shot at Hyderabad Sultan's goal was well stopped by goalkeeper Salman Akbar in the initial moments of the game.
Shivender Singh and Vijay Alphonso of Maratha Warriors combined well to penetrate the deep defence of Hyderabad Sultan but ultimately they failed to give a positive finish to their moves.
Devenderpal Singh of Hyderabad Sultan was shown yellow card in the second half of the game for dangerously pulling down Shivender Singh of Maratha Warriors.
