The rub of the green went Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers’ way as it registered its second win in as many games with a 2-1 victory against Team Gonasika at the Birsa Munda Stadium here on Wednesday.
For a game that was as evenly matched as possible on the field, one moment of defensive error led to a penalty stroke for SRBT, proving to be the difference between the two sides. For the remaining part, there was little to choose from between the two, matched in their attempts at goal, circle entries, and even scoring their respective opening goals within 30 seconds of each other.
It was a tactical game that saw both sides play strategically, resulting in most of the work being done between the two 23-yard lines. For SRBT, Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek were the key men with repeated incursions into the circle and Affan Yousuf backing them up, only to find their shots blocked by goalkeeper Oliver Payne.
AS IT HAPPENED: Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Team Gonasika highlights
They did earn enough penalty corners, however, they had to wait till the sixth one for Rupinder Pal Singh to finally step into the action. Jugraj Singh was entrusted with the responsibility till then but was unable to beat Payne. Rupinder made no mistake, smashing into the net past Payne’s shoulders for the opening goal.
For Gonasika, while goalkeeper Oliver Payne stood tall for the most part, it was Manpreet Singh, along with Frenchman Victor Charlet, who was the beating heart, controlling every aspect and running relentlessly to attack, create and defend. It was no surprise that the former India captain got his name on the score sheet as well, 30 seconds after SRBT took the lead, swinging to smash into the board, unmarked on the left after being put through by Struan Walker.
Team Gonasika’s Manpreet Singh scored a goal and celebrates.
| Photo Credit:
Hockey India
Team Gonasika’s Manpreet Singh scored a goal and celebrates.
| Photo Credit:
Hockey India
That should have opened up the game, but the teams, level again, went back to possession play, and it looked like yet another HIL match would go into shootouts. Till a 48th-minute blunder saw SRBT rewarded with the stroke that Rupinder calmly converted. Gonasika, faced with the prospect of another loss, finally stepped up the tempo and tried to find an equaliser, but the rushing inside the circle saw them falter at the finish with wayward shots, eventually ending on the losing side.
The result: SRBT 2 (Rupinder Pal Singh 31, 48) bt Team Gonasika 1 (Manpreet Singh 32).
