Sutherland goal takes Mumbai past Bhopal

After a deluge of goals on the opening day, Thursday, there was a dearth as Mumbai Marines beat Bhopal Badshahs 1-0 to earn their first points in the World Series Hockey at the MHA-Mahindra Stadium in Mumbai on Friday.

Australia's Troy Sutherland gave the home side the match-winner in the 25th minute with a scorching, low hit from the top of the circle that crashed on to the board.

The victory was Mumbai's first in two games, following the 5-7 defeat to Pune Strykers at the same venue on Thursday.

The Badshahs had come into the game following a 4-3 victory over Chandigarh Comets on February 29.

Goalmouth thrills were also few and far between, in sharp contrast to the previous evening's encounter when it rained goals and the pace was electric.

Both teams also lacked effective drag-flickers, as a result of which Mumbai were unable to score from the three penalty-corners they forced.

The Bhopal side, which dominated the early stages of the match mainly because of excellent midfield prompting from Pakistan's four-time World Cupper and two-time Olympian Waseem Ahmad, earned six, but just could not get the set-piece drills correct.

Bhopal could have gone ahead in the 10h minute but Mumbai captain and custodian Adrian D'Souza brought off a good save. In fact, Mumbai have to thank the former India keeper for keeping their slate clean. He effected three good saves, two in the last quarter, to deny the Badshas victory.

Delhi Wizards off to winning start

In another match, in Delhi, Delhi Wizards made a winning start to their campaign in the tournament, defeating Karnataka Lions 3-2.

The Wizards scored a goal each in the first three quarters through Vikramjeet Singh (2nd minute), ace Pakistani forward Shakeel Abbasi (19th) and captain Rajpal Singh (51st).

The Lions tried hard to force a comeback in the last two quarters and scored twice through four-time Olympian Dhanraj Pillay (36th minute) and Ravipal Singh (48th).

The match was a dull affair as both sides lacked flair and intensity. Veterans, like Dhanraj and Arjun Halappa, both representing Karnataka Lions, looked past their prime.

The Wizards broke the deadlock as early as in the second minute when Vikramjeet converted their first penalty-corner. Abbasi then doubled the lead in the 19th minute scoring a beautiful field goal from German Philip Sunkel's pass from the left flank.

However, the match turned out to be more intense after the change of ends as the Lions scored two quick goals to draw parity.

Pillay first reduced the margin and then Ravipal restored parity with a powerful hit from top of the 'D' after receiving a pass from skipper Halappa.

But captain Rajpal ensured Wizards a winning start by scoring the winner in the 51st minute.

The Wizards next play Pune Strykers at the same venue on Saturday while Lions travel to Jalandhar to face Sher-E-Punjab.