CHENNAI: Amidst a festive ambience that was embellished by an exotic opening ceremony, edition three of the Premier Hockey League (PHL) was put on boards at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Thursday.

A large turnout savoured every moment of it with celebrities of the show business — singer Vasundara Das, actor Madhavan and dancer-model Yana Gupta — during the hour-long incandescent ceremony, the like of which has never been witnessed at a hockey competition in this metropolis.

Consciously designed to heighten the atmosphere and to elevate the sagging spirits of the hockey community, it really set the tone and tenor for the two-month long PHL.

Examined within the parameters of quality and technical excellence neither of the first match contestants - Chennai Veerans and Hyderabad Sultans -showed anything related to be projected in illuminating terms. But at the end of it all it was Chennai Veerans, who trooped out winner by an imposing margin of four goals to one.

Probably it was early for the motley combination of players to settle down in their first encounter. There were however fleeting moments. One was the bewitching backhander by Vikram to put Chennai Veerans ahead in the first session.

Raja dazzles

Latching on to a loose defensive work by Hyderabad Sultans, Raja, easily the best of the Veerans' forwards, provided an adroit pass, which was capitalised well by Vikram. A couple of penalty corners did heighten the tension but the seasoned Devesh Chauhan proved equal to the task till that blinder of a shot by Vikram bewildered him by its velocity and trajectory.

The Veerans picked up rhythm much quicker than the rival. While Raja and Adam Sinclair provided the thrust, the defence proved effective with Vikramjit Singh flashing into the picture now and then. Drag-flicker Raghunath had two tries in the first session but the shots were anything but sharp.

Initially, Hyderabad Sultans showed a semblance of domination, thanks to the probing runs by Didar Singh served well by the pivot Vikram Pillay. The pressure exerted was conspicuous in the second part during which there were four penalty corners. Sreejesh managed to ward off the threat with beaming nonchalance. Even during the dying minutes, he effected a few smart saves. However in the final minute, Vikram Pillay slotted in a penalty corner scrimmage to hoist the only goal for Sultans.

Chennai Veerans clung to the 1-0 lead until the end of the second session. The lead was enlarged within minutes of the third. A lovely cross by Pakistan's Eshanullah broke the defence. Adam Sinclair, leading the Veerans, fumbled but Suresh Kumar flicked in the rebound.

Veerans takes control

Progessively, the Veerans gained control and displayed a measure of persistence raising hopes of striking again. And strike it did when Adam Sinclair scored after an attempt by Raja was saved by Devesh Chauhan. Sinclair netted once again making capital of a goal-mouth skirmish.

Sinclair was named man-of-the-match.

Mr. T.P.M. Mohideen Khan, State Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, declared the event open. The players were presented to him.

The result: Chennai Veerans 4 (Vikram, Suresh Kumar, Adam Sinclair 2) beat Hyderabad Sultans 1 (Vikram Pillay).

Friday's matches: Chandigarh Dynamos v Sher-E-Jalandhar (2-30 p.m.); Maratha Warriors v Bangalore Lions (7 p.m.).

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