Goalkeeper Charter takes Kalinga to second successive fil

Chandigarh, Feb 25: Andrew Charter put up a superb show under the bar to guide Kalinga Lancers to their second consecutive fil of the Coal India Hockey India League (HIL) as they prevailed over Uttar Pradesh Wizards 4-3 (4-4) via pelty shoot-out at the Chandigarh Hockey Stadium here on Saturday.

The match went to the pelty shoot-out after Akashdeep Singh's 58th goal ebled UP Wizards to equalise after last edition's runners-up Kalinga, with goals from Devinder Walmiki (ninth), Moritz Furste (35th) and Billy Bakker (46th), mounted a strong comeback following Florent van Aubel's fourth minute strike.

Australian Charter not only came off with heroics during the regulation play, but also in the pelty shoot-out as Kalinga saw their first two hits of Furste and Adam Dixon wasted thanks to P.R. Sreejesh and UP Wizards going 2-0 up with clinical conversions from Gonzalo Peillat (pelty stroke) and van Aubel.

Lalit Upadhyay and Aran Zalewski brought Kalinga back in contention in the shoot-out, while Charter denied Ramandeep Singh and Akashdeep. Next, Dharamvir Singh fumbled and as did Sander Baart as the game moved to the sudden death.

Charter then again rescued Kalinga by dismissing Augustin Mazzilli. But then Furste failed again and van Aubel continued to be impressive on the day to make it 3-2. Upadhyay levelled it 4-3 and Charter ensured that the goal post looks big for Akashdeep, who was denied by the cross-bar. And Zalewski scored past an imposing Sreejesh to trigger wild celebrations in the Kalinga camp, ending UP Wizards' campaign in the semi-fils for the fourth time in five years. IANS