Bangalore Lions beat Hyderabad Sultans

Chandigarh, Feb 28 (UNI) Defending champions Bangalore Lions overcame a spirited challenge of lowly-placed Hyderabad Sultans by 4-2 in their last league match, in the third edition of the Premier Hockey League, being played at the floodlit Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here tonight.

Bangalore Lions scored through Sandeep Michael (fifth and 63rd minutes, penalty corners), Hari Prasad (26th) and Len Aiyappa (53rd penalty stroke). Hyderbad Sultans' goal-getters were Saranjit Singh (13th pc) and Tariq Aziz (15th).

Bangalore Lions finished their league engagement with 20 points from 12 matches. They occupied third place behind leaders Orissa Steelers (28 pts) and Sher-E-Jalandhar (26 pts).

Maratha Warriors (16 pts), who play Chennai Veerans (13 pts) in the last league fixture the PHL, are in the fourth position.

Incessant rain and chilly weather today made start difficult for teams from South. As the players warmed up, good hockey was dished out. Surprisingly Hyderabad Sultans, lying at the bottom with nine defeats in regulation period, put up a spirited display.

They rallied twice to level the score before losing in the well-fought encounter.

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