Argentina flavour in Orissa Steelers' 4-2 win

Chandigarh, Feb 18 (UNI) A sterling display by mercurial Argentina forward Mario Almada paved the way for a comfortable 4-2 victory for Orissa Steelers over local favourites Chandigarh Dynamos in the Premier Hockey League being played under lights at the Sector 42 Astroturf Hockey Stadium here tonight.

Almada, who was declared Lion of the match, scored two brilliant goals and with a bit of luck could have performed hat-trick in the Chandigarh leg of the PHL.

Mario Almada (25th, penalty corner, 34th), Dilip Tirkey (12th, penalty corner) and Prem Kumar (46th) were the winners' scorers.

Captain Rajpal Singh put his team ahead in the sixth minute while a field goal and Mandeep Singh scored Chandigarh Dynamos' second goal of the day. Orissa Steelers got five penalty corners and Chandigarh Dynamos one.

Orissa Steelers are moving from strength to strength. Playing their ninth match of the PHL, Orissa Steelers today recorded their sixth win in regulation period which gave them three points. They are leading the table with 20 points. Sher-E-Jalandhar, who lost to Bangalore Lions 1-2 in their eighth encounter, are at the second spot with 16 points. Bangalore Lions have moved to third position with 15 points, one point ahead of Maratha Warriors. Chandigarh Dynamos and Chennai Veerans are tied with 10 points apiece as the sixth slot. Hyderabad Sultans, with five points, are lying at the bottom.

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