Chandigarh Comets Strykers spanked Pune Strykers in a great comeback to win 4-3 in their Bridgestone World Series Hockey match in Chandigarh on Monday.
Comets unleashed the rear guard action with Pakistani star Rehan Butt tapping in from close range off the winner.
Canadian import Gabbar Singh struck the all-important winning goal off a penalty-stroke in the dying moment. With this victory, the hosts' are now in seco
nd position with 15 points, four less than the table leaders, Sher-e-Punjab.
The visitors struck three goals in the first eight minutes to stun the home side and then the gritty Comets cancelled out the lead shortly after the lemon time. And then Sukhwinder Singh converted a stroke five second before the hooter in a scintillating match which is becoming a feature of Bridgestone WSH as it inches towards the final stage.
Captain Roshan Minz's alacrity inside the circle led the Strykers to their first goal. Damandeep Singh doubly ensured the ball's entry into the net with a gentle nudge.
Even before the Comets came to terms with this quick silver goal, Simranjeet Singh Randhawa, after Gurpreet Singh played a dummy in the first penalty corner, dispatched the ball to the right corner to enhance the lead.
Butt struck to reduce the margin, and shortly after Bharat Chhikara failed to connect a high ball that came to him after a Sukhwinder shot, Gurjinder Singh converted their first penalty corner to reduce the lead further, at the stroke of lemon time. Comets continued their aggression after the break, and got the dividend. Their man-in-form Sukhwinder Singh bounced on to a weak rebound off the goalie to can out the last lead.
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