Sandeep scores twice as Magicians post first win

Captain Sandeep Singh scored twice from penalty-corner flicks as Mumbai Magicians broke their winless streak after seven straight defeats in the Hockey India League by outclassing Uttar Pradesh Wizards 4-0 at the MHA Mahindra stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The Magicians went into the game played between the 5-team league's bottom-placed sides in a must-win situation and showed a lot of positive play and attacked from both flanks to dominate their opponents.

The first two goals for Magicians before Sandeep's double strike, that took his goal tally to 11, were notched by Jonny Jasrotia, off the first of the Magicians' five penalty-corners, and Jason Wilson, a fine field goal on the run from the right.

The home team's deep defence, with goalkeeper P R Sreejesh having a good game along with Matthew Butturuni, also stood tall to deny their rivals' forays repeatedly.

The well-earned victory fetched the Magicians five points that boosted their tally to 12 with four games, including three at home, in hand.

The Wizards' fourth loss in their eighth game by a four-goal margin kept them on 17 points.

In another match, high-flying Delhi Waveriders and second-placed Ranchi Rhinos scored a goal in each half to settle for a 2-2 draw at the Major Dhyan Chand stadium.

By virtue of the draw, both teams pocketed two points each.

Waveriders further consolidated their position at the top of the league standings with 34 points from eight games, while the Rhinos are close behind in second spot with 29 points from as many matches.

Justin Reid Ross (14th minute) and Floris Evers (61st) were the goal-scorers for Ranchi.

For Delhi, one goal came from the stick of Simon Child (53rd) while the other was an own goal.