Bangalore Hi-Fliers inch closer to PHL semi-finals

CHANDIGARH: Former champions Bangalore Hi-Fliers enhanced their chances of making the semi-finals as they put paid to the hopes of a fighting Chennai Veerans handing them a 4-2 defeat in the fourth Premier Hockey League (PHL) here on Saturday.

Veerans, who suffered their fourth defeat in as many matches, are out of the reckoning for a semi-final berth despite playing their best match of the tournament at the Sector 42 Stadium.

They dominated the first two quarters but Bangalore came back strongly in the second half to win.

Cheyanna who scored two goals was adjudged the man of the match.

Veerans shot into the lead in the 14th minute, with drag-flick specialist Raghunath converting their only penalty corner with a powerful flick to the right corner of the net.

But their joy was short-lived as Bangalore restored parity within three minutes scoring a stunning field goal. In the 17th minute, capping a right flank move, Arjun Halappa sent a fierce cross into the goalmouth from the right corner of the field.

Cheyanna received the ball near the far post and sidestepped defender Vikramjit Singh to score past Chennai custodian Sreejesh.

Chennai Veerans played a much better game with their forwards Raja and Adam Sinclair making menacing moves upfront, but it was Bangalore who increased the lead.

Bangalore earned the first of their three short corners in the 40th minute. Len Aiyappa's drag flick beat an outstretched Sreejesh in the Chennai goal but the goal-bound ball hit the shoulder of Chennai defender Raghunath.

Umpire Parnam Singh consulted the TV umpire and confirmed the penalty stroke. Len Aiyappa made no mistake from the spot, shooting the ball to the right of the goalkeeper to make it 2-1.

Chennai Veerans kept themselves in the race by scoring the equaliser in the 49th minute through a brilliant field goal.

Suresh sent a long through pass into the circle and skipper Adam Sinclair received the ball, pulled back and tapped it into the goal.

Five minutes later, Bangalore shot ahead once again with brilliant work from their South Korean import You Hyo-sik.

In the 56th minute Hyo-sik sent a cross into the circle from the right and Sunil made an attempt to send the ball into the goalmouth. But with the ball rolling slowly, Cheyanna darted down from behind the rival goalkeeper and tapped it into the goal. The score: 3-2.

While Chennai went all out for the equaliser, Bangalore Hi-Fliers increased the margin with a minute to go from a swift turn over.

In a counter attack from the left flank, Hyo Sik sprinted into the 'circle'. As Chennai goalkeeper Sreejesh advanced, the South Korean scooped the ball over his head to Hariprasad in the goalmouth. Hari controlled the ball in the air and shot into an open goal.