#HIL2016: Punjab break 'final' jinx, lift title in style, Delhi end third

 

Ranchi: Jaypee Punjab Warriors were on Sunday crowned Hockey India League Season 4 champions as they clinched their maiden title thrashing Kalinga Lancers 6-1 in a lop-sided summit clash here.

The Punjab-based side were third time lucky as they had finished runners-up in the last two editions. They lost to Delhi Waveriders in 2014 and to Ranchi Rays last year.

The Warriors, who had finished second in the round-robin league phase, led 2-1 at the end of the second quarter but pumped in two field strikes — with each field goal counting as two — in the final two quarters to take the game away from Kalinga’s reach.

Armaan Qureshi (4th minute), Matt Gohdes (39th) and Satbir Singh (42nd) found the target for Punjab Warriors while captain Moritz Fuerste scored the consolation goal for Kalinga Lancers in the 24th minute.

The Warriors’ forward line was too good to handle for the Lancers who had to defend their citadel for most part of the final two quarters.

The match began on an attacking note as Lancers were straightaway put under pressure by a series of attacks from the Warriors.

The Warriors struck early in the game through a field goal in the fourth minute from youngster Qureshi to take a 2-0 lead. This was followed by Kalinga launching some good attacks but Punjab’s defenders stood upto their reputation denying their opponents any opportunity to score.

The second quarter began with Kalinga launching successive attacks and they finally broke the deadlock in the 24th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Fuerste.

Leading 2-1, the Warriors were keen to extend their lead in the third quarter. Their consecutive attacks on the Lancers goal finally yielded results through back-to-back field goals in the 39th and 42nd minutes through Ghodes and Satbir respectively.

The Warriors walked away with a winners cheque of Rs 2.50 crores.

Waveriders beat Ranchi To Clinch Bronze

 
Delhi Waveriders got the better of defending champions Ranchi Rays 2-0 in the bronze medal play-off match.

Mandeep Singh (18th minute) scored the only goal of the match to give Delhi the crucial two points.