HIL: Punjab Warriros beat Delhi Waveriders 3–1

New Delhi, Jan 30 : Three goals in fil quarter helped Punjab Warriors defeat Delhi Waveriders 3–1 and maintain their position at the top of the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) standings at the Major Dhyan Chand tiol Stadium here on Friday.

Warriors conceded an early goal from Akashdep Singh (third minute) but staged a stunning comeback in the fil quarter. Christopher Ciriello (50th), S.V. Sunil (54) and Affan Yousuf (56th) scored to dump the defending champions to the sixth place.

Delhi started on a bright note and made early inroads into the visitors’ defence. In the third minute, Akashdeep Singh crossed it to make it 1–0.

Punjab looked more organised later on, especially in the defence. With the Intertiol Hockey Federation (FIH) Player of the Year Mark Knowles serving a one–match suspension, another veteran Australian Rob Hammond rose to the occasion and showed that despite his intertiol retirement, he possesses the attributes which made him one of the best holding midfielder of the game.

The FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Jaap Stockmaan also played a crucial role in keeping Delhi at bay. The Dutchman thwarted several Delhi moves in front of the goal with his tecity and agility. IANS