Shers swallow Sultans, to meet steelers in PHL final

Chandigarh, Feb 25 (UNI) Dashing Olympian forward Gagan Ajit Singh scored two classic goals as Sher-e-Jalandhar routed lowly Hyderabad Sultans 3-1 to storm into the final of the Premier Hockey League (PHL) here today.

The victory gave Shers three full points to take their tally to 23 and qualify for the final. They will complete their league programme when they meet Chandigarh Dynamos on February 27 even though the match will have no bearing on the points table.

With this win, Shers are at the second position, while Orissa Steelers are leading the table with 25 points and their last league fixture is against Chennai Veerans tomorrow.

Shers have recorded six wins in the regulation period and one in extra time. They have one defeat in regulation time and three in extra time.

Now the stage is set for the title clash between Orissa Steelers and Sher-e-Jalandhar on March 2, 4 and 5. Sultans are at the bottom of the table with six from 11 matches.

Olympian Gagan Ajit have so far scored 13 goals to be the top scorer. Orissa Steelers captain Dilip Tirkey has eight goals so far to his credit to be the second highest scorer in the PHL.

In today's match, Gagan Ajit scored two goals in the 47th and 66th minutes while Spanish import Santi Freixa opened the account for Shers with a field goal in the 18th minute. Hyderabad Sultans got their lone goal through Rajwinder Singh in the 46th minute.

Sher-e-Jalandhar completely dominated the proceedings and they forced six penalty corners. However, they have to improve their penalty-corner technique if they desire to lift the trophy. They failed to convert even a single penalty corner today.Sultans also muffed one penalty corner which they forced in the 31st minute.

With Santi Freixa, Tejbir Singh and Baljit Singh Dhillon combining with proper coordination. Shers began with a narrow miss in the 11th minute as Santi Freixa's shot after a solo effort went wide. Four minutes later, Tejbir Singh sprinted down from the left and converted the move into a penalty corner award which went abegging.

Facing relentless pressure, the Sultans goal fell in the 19th minute. Olympian Baljit Singh Saini gave a pass to Tejbir Singh from the left position. Speedy Tejbir Singh sent a good pass to Santi Freixa who scored from an acute angle to put his team ahead.

Against the run of play, Sultans neutralised the lead in the 46th minute. Pakistan player Tariq Aziz intercepted a long pass in the 25-yard area and sent a measured pass to Rajwinder Singh to put in the finishing touches.

It looked as if Sultans would now put up a tough resistance.

However, Shers launched a counter-attack immediately and too the lead again in the 47th minute. Santi Freixa gave a long ball to Baljit Singh Dhillon who passed it to Gagan Ajit to do the rest.

Gagan Ajit's second goal was a gem which came in the 66th minute. Tejbir Singh shot from top of the circle from the left and Gagan Ajit, who had positioned himself near the right post, just guided the ball into the goal past substitute goalkeeper R K Prokrelo.

UNI