Santi freixa snatches win for Shers in extra time

Chandigarh, Feb 15: A penalty-corner goal by Spanish Santi Freixa in the silver extra time helped Sher-E-Jalandhar prevail over a never-say-die Maratha Warriors by 3-2 in the Premier Hockey League at the floodlight Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here tonight.

It was Shers' first win in extra time and the side secured two points to take their tally to 16 from seven matches, with four wins, two defeats in extra time and one win in extra time. They are occupying the second spot behind leaders Orissa Steelers (17 points from seven outingds).

Maratha Warriors suffered their second defeat in extra time. From seven matches, they have so for obtained 11 points, with one regulation time win, two defeats, three extra time victories and two extra time loses.

Today's defeat in extra time gave them one point.

Sher-e-Jalandhar, having a number of Olympians and internationals in their line-up dominated the first two quarters and led 2-0 at the end of third quarter.

After a lackluster and unproductive third quarter, Maratha Warriors bounced back into the game with vengeance and pumped in two goals in the last quarter to share the honours in the stipulated 70-minute session divided into four quarters. With a bit of luck they could have clinched victory with a last-minute goal but Hardeep's try missed the mark with a narrow margin.

Shers snatched the win in extra time with a penalty corner goal scored by Sanit Freixa in the 77th minute. The Spanish player had earlier made it 2-0 in the 29th minute by converting a penalty corner. Gagan Ajit Singh drew the first blood for Shers in the 16th minute with a reverse shot on the run.

Imran Warsi (57th, penalty corner) and Jamie Dwyer (62nd) contributed one goal each for Maratha Warriors. Sher-e-Jalandhar captialised most of the chances that came their way in the first three quarters as they led 2-0 before a never-say-die Maratha Warriors staged a brilliant rally to level the score in the fourth quarter by scoring two goals. They pumped in two goals within a span of five minutes.

Maratha Warriors forced their second penalty corner in the 57th minute and Imran Warssi converted it with a bang after Jamie Dwyer had taken the push and Adnan Maqsood had stopped it for Imran to do the rest.

This goal infused more life into the attack of Maratha Warriors. They mounted relentless pressure and in the 62nd minute, Jamie Dwyer caught the Sher-E-Jalandhar napping after receiving a pass from Chandrakesh who had collected a pass from the right flank.

With their morale high, Maratha Warriors could have clinched the issue in their favour in the regulation period. One minute before the hooter, Jamie initiated a good move and fed Hardeep Singh via Chandrakesh. Hardeep just managed to connect it on the run. However, the ball went out by a narrow margin.

Earlier, Shers began in a whirlwind fashion. A brilliant move between Jarnail Singh and Olympian Gagan Ajit Singh led to the first penalty corner award for Shers in the fifth minute. Former Indian captain and Olympian Baljit Singh Dhillon took the push for Tejbir Singh, who played an outstanding game, to stop it for former Santi Freixa to execute it.

However, Santi Fereixa scoop went wide. In a counter attack, Maratha Warriors forced their first penalty corner in the 10th minute which proved abortive.

Jamie pushed and Adnan Maqsood stopped it for Imran Warsi who failed to penetrate the Shers' defence. Shers launched another powerful attack through brilliant Tejbir Singh who gave a defensive-splitting forward pass to Gagan Ajit Singh who banged home with a reverse shot to give his team the lead. Shers had an opportunity to double the margin in the 28th minute. Tejbir Singh shot straight into the striking circle and Baljit Saini defelected it.Maratha Warriors goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza padded it. Santi Freixa tried to capitalise on the rebound but a defender cleared it.

Shers could not be denied their due as in the 29th minute they forced a penalty corner which Santi Freixa converted with a measured scoop after Gagan Ajit had taken the push and Tejbir stopped it.

The third quarter proved a listless affair. Maratha Warriors held the spotlight in the fourth quarters which fetched them two goals to restore parity. Their moves were sudden and penetrative which Shers failed to counter. Tied two-all in the regulation period, the silver extra time goal rule was applied and Santi Freixa converted a penalty corner in the 77th minute to give Shers their first win in extra time.

Santi Freixa was adjudged the Lion of the Match.

UNI