Match Summary 2015

Mohali, 25 January 2015: Taking their performance a notch higher in the ongoing Hero Hockey India League 2015, Jaypee Punjab Warriors drubbed Kalinga Lancers by 4-2 and secured their first win the 3rd edition of the Hero Hockey India League at their home turf in Mohali at the International Hockey Stadium, today.

Giving a speedy start to the game, both Kalinga Lancers and Jaypee Punjab Warriors were seen in an attacking mode, trying to penetrate each other’s D and taking the lead in the game from the first quarter itself. It was only in the 8th minute of the game when Lalit Upadhyay of Kalinga Lancers made a break-through with the help of a counter attack and sliced in a field goal beating Jaypee Punjab Warriors’ Jaap Stockmann and helping Kalinga Lancers to take the early lead in the game over the home team.

The second quarter of the game saw Jaypee Punjab Warriors playing even more aggressive game in order to level to scores with the visiting team. Both Kalinga Lancers and Jaypee Punjab Warriors managed to secure a penalty corner each, but both failed to convert their respective opportunities into a goal. It was only when the Jaypee Punjab Warriors secured a second penalty corner opportunity in the second quarter of the game itself, Jamie Dwyer made no mistakes in converting it into a goal and levelled the scores with Kalinga Lancers. Continuing the dominating spree in the game now, Jaypee Punjab Warriors’ Jamie Dwyer stroked-in a magnificent field goal in the 28th minute and snatched away the lead by 2-1 over Kalinga Lancers, just before the half time whistle.

Where both the teams kept their speedy and attacking form upbeat, even in the quarter of the match, their respective defence line-up was also seen getting stronger with every minute. Jaypee Punjab Warriors’ drag-flicker Sandeep Singh opened his goal account for the day in the third quarter itself when he skilfully converted a penalty corner and helped the team take the lead further ahead by 3-1. Kalinga Lancers’ repeated efforts to reduce the score margin, failed to yield results for the team in the third quarter.

Jaypee Punjab Warriors were seen in full swing in the last quarter of the match as well, as the home team was in no mood to let the Kalinga Lancers do any damage. Dharamvir Singh added another goal to Jaypee Punjab Warriors’ account when he carved his way out and pierced in a field goal beating Kalinga Lancers’ goalkeeper in the 50th minute and taking the lead to 4-1. Kalinga Lancers picked up pace and were seen keeping the game alive when Gurjinder Singh made no mistakes in converting a penalty corner and reducing the score to 4-2. Kalinga Lancers were restricted from doing any further damage as the Jaypee Punjab Warriors registered their first win in the Hero Hockey India League 2015 at their home turf.

Speaking on today’s performance Captain and Man-of-the-Match Jamie Dwyer of Jaypee Punjab Warriors said, “We are coming out good but we need to further improve ourselves. We are working on our defence and that is an area we are focussing the most during our practice. Sandeep and Chris are flicking good during practice sessions and they need to start incorporating during play. Playing at your home turf or away does not matter and we focus on winning. The aim is to reach the semi-finals and I think our 100% best will come out in the last two matches of the League.”

Speaking post their impressive win, Dharamvir Singh of Jaypee Punjab Warriors said, “We came back well in the match post Kalinga Lancers’ initial goal today. Jamie’s back to back goals boosted everyone’s morale and we controlled the match thereafter. We are looking forward to our matchtomorrow and the aim is to win yet again.”

Speaking post their loss, Kalinga Lancers’ Head Coach Jude Felix said, “Punjab is one of the top teams of the League as well as tough one and we had a good match with them today. There were patches where the team did not perform well but if I have to rate the performance of the team, they are improving with every match and practice sessions.”

Speaking after the match, Captain Vickram Kanth of Kalinga Lancers said, “It was a new learning today post our last match and we will take this learning ahead in our next match. The aim is to grow from here and continue our good form in league.”

Hero Goal of the Match – Dharamvir Singh (Jaypee Punjab Warriors)

Man of the Match – Jamie Dwyer of (Jaypee Punjab Warriors)

Next Match:

26 Jan 2015 (Ranchi) – 1700 HRS   RR vs. DWR

26 Jan 2015 (Mohali) – 1900 HRS   JPW vs. UPW