Maratha Warriors notched up their second successive victory defeating Bangalore Hi-Fliers 2-0 in a fast-paced encounter of the fourth Premier Hockey League in Chandigarh on Sunday afternoon.
Hi-Fliers began on an aggressive note and attacked the rival goal, earning two short corners in the 10th minute.
However, Warriors' skipper Viren Rasquinha dashed in to deflect Len Aiyappa's flick but in the process conceded another short corner. This time Warriors' custodian Adrian D'Souza anticipated well and palmed away Len Aiyappa's drag flick.
The second quarter saw both the teams have an equal share of exchanges. However, after the half time, the Warriors switched gears by taking control of the midfield.
Rasquinha and Vikram Pillay fed their forwards and also did well in containing the rival forays. Their sustained pressure yielded four short corners for the Warriors, but their Dutch import Looijem Melchior could not come good with his drag flicks.
Warriors had their best chance following a counterattack in the 48th minute when Rehan Butt got the ball in front of the circle. He darted into the circle and with the entire defence out of place he positioned himself for a strike, but Hi-Fliers' goalie Bharat Chetri charged out to the top.
Rehan sidestepped him and was about to take a shot when Bimal Lakra made a clean clearance to save the goal.
But Warriors hoisted the lead in the 61st minute, converting the eighth of their nine penalty corners.
Dhananjay Mahadik struck a drag flick and his grounder beat Chetri in Bangalore goal.
Warriors struck again to seal the issue. Following a defensive lapse in the midfield, Warriors' Korean import Kwee-om Moon darted into the circle and dodged past an advancing goalkeeper to redeem his two lapses earlier.
Vikram Pillay was declared man of the match.
