BHUBANESWAR 10-Feb-2017
A 60th minute goal by Gonzalo Peillat ensured the home team Uttar Pradesh Wizards drew with Kalinga Lancers 2-2, denting the visitors chance of climbing back on top of the points table in a thrilling game of the Hockey India League at Lucknow today.
It was a dramatic first quarter with Uttar Pradesh Wizards, nudged by the support an energetic home crowd, got off to a rollicking start living up to the attack posed by Kalinga Lancers. Forward Akashdeep Singh showed class when he beat defender Amit Rohidas into the circle after a good assist by VR Raghunath to earn his team their first PC. However, the powerful drag flick by skipper Raghunath was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Andrew Charter.
But the Uttar Pradesh Wizards were quick to win another PC, thanks to the team work by Akashdeep and Ramandeep Singh, in the 15th minute and this time Raghunath was impressive with an inch-perfect flick that landed in the top centre of the net like lighting. The 1-0 lead, however, lasted only a couple of seconds with the visitors winning their first PC with less than six seconds to go for the quarter to end. This time it was Arthur van Doren who was guilty of a foul that eventually saw the German Moritz Fuerste convert the goal to equalize.
It was a nerve-wracking final quarter, with both teams coming up with a thriller of a game. India’s No.1 goalkeeper Sreejesh continued to be impressive keeping the Kalinga Lancers at bay. But the Kalinga
Lancers were resilient. Germany’s celebrated hockey star Moritz was incredible with his efforts when he converted a PC in the 51st minute after Lalit Upadhyay won his team this opportunity at taking a lead.
The game got dramatic in the dying minute when a video referral was upheld for the Uttar Pradesh Wizards fetching them a PC. A perfect injection by Agustin Mazzilli saw his Argentine teammate Gonzalo Peillat convert the goal to hand a 2-2 draw sending the dug-out and the stadium into jubilation.
Moritz Fuerste of Kalinga Lancers was awarded with a prize money of Rs 50,000 for scoring the Coal India Goal of the Match. Ajay Yadav of Uttar Pradesh Wizards won the prize of Rs 25,000 for being the Young Achiever of the Match. The Most Entertaining Player of the Match was awarded to Lalit Upadhyay of Kalinga Lancers that came with a prize money of Rs 25,000. Moritz Fuerste of Kalinga Lancers was declared the Man of the Match and was awarded a prize money of Rs 50,000.
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PHOTO: Kalinga Lancers captain Moritz Fuerste (Right) receives the Goal of the Match award in Lucknow on Feb 10, 2017.
