The rub of the green went the way of Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers who registered their second win in as many matches with a 2-1 win over the Gonasika team at the Birsa Munda Stadium here on Wednesday.
For as balanced a match as possible on the pitch, a moment of defensive error led to a penalty stroke for SRBT, proving to be the difference between the two teams. Otherwise, there was little to choose between the two, matching in their goal attempts, circle entries and even their respective first goals 30 seconds apart.
This was a tactical game in which both teams played strategically, which allowed most of the work to be done between the two 23-yard lines. For SRBT, Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek were the key men with repeated forays into the circle and Affan Yousuf supporting them, only to see their shots blocked by goalkeeper Oliver Payne.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Highlights of Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Team Gonasika
They got enough penalty corners, but they had to wait until the sixth for Rupinder Pal Singh to finally get into the action. Jugraj Singh had been entrusted with the responsibility till then but could not beat Payne. Rupinder made no mistake, smashing the net past Payne’s shoulders for the opening goal.
For Gonasika, while goalkeeper Oliver Payne mostly stood on his feet, it was Manpreet Singh, alongside Frenchman Victor Charlet, who was the beating heart, controlling all aspects and running relentlessly to attack, create and defend . Not surprisingly, the former Indian captain also got his name on the scoresheet, 30 seconds after SRBT took the lead, swinging to smash into the board, unmarked on the left after being put in before by Struan Walker.
Manpreet Singh of Gonasika team scores a goal and celebrates. | Photo credit: Hockey India
Manpreet Singh of Gonasika team scores a goal and celebrates. | Photo credit: Hockey India
That should have broken the game open, but the teams, tied again, returned to possession play, and it looked like another HIL game was going to end in a shootout. Until a mistake in the 48th minute saw SRBT rewarded with the shot which Rupinder calmly converted. Gonasika, facing the prospect of another defeat, finally picked up the pace and tried to find the equalizer, but the rush inside the circle saw them falter at the finish with wayward shots, eventually finishing on the losing side.
The result: SRBT 2 (Rupinder Pal Singh 31, 48) by team Gonasika 1 (Manpreet Singh 32).
