By IANS
Chandigarh : Despite struggling against a resilient Orissa Steelers, Hyderabad Sultans managed to secure two points with their 4-3 win in the tie-breaker in the fourth Premier Hockey League (PHL) here Monday.
Hyderabad Sultans led for the better part of the match, but were forced into the tie-breaker in the floodlit encounter at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium.
After being goalless in the first two quarters, the Sultans forced the first short corner in the 40th minute and duly took the lead. But a resurgent Orissa fought back and notched the equaliser five minutes before the hooter to push the match into the extra-time.
Orissa dominated the first five-minutes of the extra-time for the silver goal, but Hyderabad managed to hold their own and the match went into the tie-breaker.
Each of the five players who take the strokes gets eight seconds to score the goal starting from the 25-yard line with a one-on-one battle with the goalkeeper.
For Hyderabad, Sardar Singh and Pramod Kumar, who took the first two strokes, were successful while Prabodh Tirkey and Ajitesh Roy failed for Orissa.
However, the next two for Hyderabad, Didar Singh and Chengappa, messed up things and Orissa’s Kim Chul and Roshan Minz converted to make the scores 2-2 after four strokes.
Pawal Lakra made no mistake for Hyderabad, scoring through Orissa goal-keeper’s legs.
All eyes were now on Joga Singh, the last man for Orissa. Hyderabad’s custodian Oscar Tar Weme stretched and saved with his left palm to ensure victory for Hyderabad.
Earlier, Diwakar Ram had put Hyderabad in the lead in the 40th minute scoring the first of their three short corners. Jitender Saroha got the equaliser for Orissa in the 65th minute, also from a drag flick from the fourth of their five short corners.
Hyderabad goal-keeper Oscar Tar Weme, who also made a couple of good saves in the regulation time, was declared the Man of the Match for his brilliant save in the shoot out.