Bangalore Hi-Fliers displayed a fine blend of free-flowing and aggressive hockey as they outplayed Chennai Veerans 3-2 in the Tier I match of the Premier Hockey League in Hyderabad on Sunday.
Though the final score line did not reflect the domination of the Hi-Fliers through out the 70 minute period, the Arjun-Halappa led side must be satisfied with the display they gave in the field after the demoralising defeat to Sher-e-Jalandhar on Saturday.
The Hi-Fliers played free-flowing hockey for the majority period and made probing runs on counter attacks to trouble the Veerans' defense.
Sandeep Michael opened the account of the winners in the ninth minute, finishing off a brilliant move from the right and penalty corner expert Len Aiyappa made it 2-0 two minutes before half time with a clean strike.
The Hi-Fliers looked like running away with the game when Amar Aiyamma (40th) minutes scored the third goal, capping off a counter attack started by his skipper.
William Xalxo (45th) and Sandeep Singh (69th) then found the net for the Veerans, but it was too little too late.
The under pressure Veerans got a chance to stage a comeback when they were awarded a penalty stroke following a melee in the striking circle on a penalty corner.
Xalxo made no mistake in beating custodian Bharat Chetri, who had already committed towards his left.
Though the Veerans then pushed almost all their players into attack they were found wanting after reaching the opponents 25-yard line and the mistakes committed by their forwards hardly helped their cause.
Drag flicker Sandeep, who had a pretty ordinary day, finally came into his own when he sent the ball in the net one minute from time.
In the Tier II matches, Chandigarh Dynamos thrashed Imphal Rangers 5-2 while the Delhi Dazzlers made it three wins in a row beating Lucknow Nawabs blanking them 2-0.
Penalty corner expert Jugraj Singh, who is making a comeback after an injury, scored a brace for the Dynamos as his side dominated the proceeding for the entire 70 minutes.
Jugraj drew first blood in the 30th minute and rounded off the campaign with a drag flick in the 69th. Ravipal Singh (41st), Harbajan Singh (56th) and Mandeep Singh (65th) sounded the board once each for the Dynamos while Gopal Singh (33rd) and Brojen Singh (59th) scored for the Rangers.
In the other match, the Dazzlers lived dangerously but managed to come away unscratched thanks to two late strikes from Gurcharan Singh and Raju in the last ten minutes.
Gurcharan, who had scored a hat trick in the first game, converted a penalty corner in the 60th minute and then Raju sealed the issue one minute from time.
The Dazzlers are now on top of the league with nine points.