Team Gonasika endured some anxious moments to beat JSW Soorma Club, who missed out on the services of their ace drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, 2-1 in the Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on Tuesday.
However, Gonasika’s second victory could not take him out of the seventh position. Soorma also remained stationary after his third defeat.
Belgian midfielder Victor Wegnez, who returned after missing three matches due to fitness problems, wore the captain’s armband even though Harmanpreet’s name appeared on the team sheet.
Soorma were awarded a penalty corner in the first quarter, but postman Yashdeep Siwach did well to stop Nicolas della Torre’s attempt.
Gonasika had a greater share of possession and posed more threats. One day, Timothée Clément launched a free ball inside the “D” towards goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch, while the drag shot from his French colleague Victor Charlet was wasted on the first break.
HOW IT HAPPENED | HIGHLIGHTS OF GONASIKA AGAINST SOORMA
Soorma, despite having limited rotation options due to Harmanpreet’s unavailability due to his left ankle injury in the previous match, collected two short corners in the second quarter.
Mandeep Singh of Team Gonasika fights for the ball during match no 23 against JSW Soorma Hockey Club. | Photo credit: INDIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Mandeep Singh of Team Gonasika fights for the ball during match no 23 against JSW Soorma Hockey Club. | Photo credit: INDIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Gonasika created some nice moves and dominated in terms of penetrations, but couldn’t beat Soorma’s defense, mainly guarded by Della Torre, Jeremy Hayward and debutant keeper HS Mohith – who allowed five outsiders on the pitch.
Gonasika wasted chances as Struan Walker could not control the ball inside the circle and Clement could not use Lee Morton’s pass.
After a scoreless first half, Gonasika showed patience with their possession, made better use of their flanks to explore openings and took advantage. Active Mandeep Singh brilliantly passed it to Nilam Xess on the goal line and the latter’s push was deflected by a defender’s stick in the 33rd minute.
Soorma showed some urgency in the final period and equalized. Nicolas Keenan provided a precise pass from outside the circle on the right and Pawan Rajbhar guided it in.
Soorma’s Gurjant Singh regretted missing a goalkeeper, while Gonasika’s Morton scored the winner in the dying moments with Soorma a man down.
The result:
Team Gonasika 2 (Xess 33, Morton 59) defeated JSW Soorma Hockey Club 1 (Rajbhar 48).
