The Hindu : Sport : Big win for Bangalore Lions

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Thursday, Jan 11, 2007
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Big win for Bangalore Lions

S. Thyagarajan

ROARING LIONS: Bangalore Lions's Amar Aiyamma (second from right) celebrates a goal with Len Aiyappa. — Photo: V. Ganesan

Chennai: Shrugging off the adverse impact after the 1-7 walloping against Sher-E-Jalandhar on Monday, Bangalore Lions, the defending champion, regained a commendable measure of poise and rhythm to outplay Chennai Veerans in the Premier Hockey League here on Wednesday.

The 6-1 scoreline conveys the embarrassment suffered by the Veerans whose supporters grew a bit restive at the end of the tie. A few bottles were used as missiles to express their disappointment at the outcome.

The win, which yielded full points, takes Bangalore Lions's tally to eight from four matches, while Chennai Veerans remains on three points from the same number of matches.

This was a crucial tie for the Bangalore Lions to remain in the fray. The team made best use of the chances to emerge winner. What set the team on the course was the impeccable penalty corner goal by Len Aiyappa in the early minutes. Interestingly, this was the only penalty corner for Bangalore Lions, but Chennai Veerans forced as many as six.

Reeling under pressure

Encouraged by that splendid start, the Bangalore Lions enmeshed the rival defence with a series of moves that were sharp and systematised. Notwithstanding the addition of the Malaysian stalwart, Kuhen Shanmuganathan, the Veerans's defenders wobbled under pressure.

The Lions's attack was led beautifully by the Pakistani winger, Rehan Butt, who scored three goals, each as attractive as the other. Support for him came in abundance from Sabu Varkey, Hari Prasad and Tushar Khandekar.

The midfield headed by Arjun Halappa provided adequate support for the frontline to maintain a sustained pressure, which resulted in the second goal. This came off a fine combined effort between Rehan and Amar Aiyamma, with the latter beating the Veerans' custodian Sreejesh with a tricky flick.

The Chennai Veerans attacked in fits and starts. Only Raja was conspicuous in waltzing his way through the Lions's defence. Whenever he surged ahead there was a ripple of excitement from the supporters. Midfielder Pawal Lakra worked tirelessly to create a few openings.

Luck, however, did not favour the Veerans, as a stinging flick from a penalty corner by Raghunath crashed against the crosspiece and spun back. A flashy shot by Kuhen was stopped by Chetri at the fag end of the second quarter.

It was Lions that went further ahead when Rehan Butt gave the finishing touches to a work out with Tushar Khandekar.

Superb solo effort

At 3-0 everything for Veerans had crashed. But the team did not give up. A stroke was awarded when Vikramkanth was stick-checked, but Ragunath hurried his shot that was baulked by Chetri. Even as excitement was escalating came the fourth from a superb solo effort by Tushar Khandekar.

Chennai Veerans still endeavoured to make a match of it. There were several anxious moments for the Lions's defence. Three penalty corners accentuated the tension in the area even as Raghunath slammed one amidst spontaneous cheers.

But the joy proved shortlived as Rehan Butt, fastening to a long shot by Hari Prasad finished with an immaculate shot for the fifth, and his second in the match. The pace of the match probably heightened the tempers leading a yellow card suspension Raghunath in the final minutes.

There will be a five-day break and the league resumes on January 16.

The result: Bangalore Lions 6 (Len Aiyappa, Rehan Butt 3, Amar Aiyamma, Tushar Khandekar) beat Chennai Veerans 1 (Ragunath), MOM: Tushar Khandekar.

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