Gonasik’s team endured some anxious moments as they defeated JSW Soorma, who did not use the services of their ace drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Tuesday to win 2-1 in the Hockey India League.
Gonasika’s second victory, however, was unable to lift her from seventh place. Soorma also stood still after her third defeat.
Belgian midfielder Victor Wegnez, who returned after missing three games due to health problems, wore the captain’s armband even though Harmanpreet’s name was on the team sheet.
Soorma scored a penalty in the first quarter but postman Yashdeep Siwach did well to stop Nicolas della Torre’s shot.
Gonasika had more possession and created more threats. On one occasion, Timothee Clement shot a loose ball down the D and stopped Vincent Vanasch, while his French colleague Victor Charlet’s sweep was wasted after the first break.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GONASIKA VS SOORMA HIGHLIGHTS
Soorma, despite being limited in the rotation due to Harmanpreet’s unavailability with a left ankle injury in the previous match, took two short corner kicks in the second quarter.
Mandeep Singh of Team Gonasika fights for the ball during match 23 against JSW Soorma Hockey Club. | Photo source: INDIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Mandeep Singh of Team Gonasika fights for the ball during match 23 against JSW Soorma Hockey Club. | Photo source: INDIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Gonasika made some good moves and dominated in terms of penetration, but was unable to overcome the Soorma defense, which was defended primarily by Della Torre, Jeremy Hayward and debuting goalkeeper HS Mohith – which allowed five foreigners to appear on the pitch.
Gonasika wasted chances because Struan Walker couldn’t control the ball in the penalty area and Clement couldn’t convert Lee Morton’s pass.
After a goalless first half, Gonasika showed patience in possession, used the flanks better to take advantage of opportunities and reaped the benefits. The active Mandeep Singh played the ball brilliantly to Nilam Xess on the goal line and the latter’s shot was deflected off the defender’s stick in the 33rd minute.
In the final quarter, Soorma showed urgency and equalized. Nicolas Keenan passed well from outside the box on the right and Pawan Rajbhar passed the ball into the net.
Soorma’s Gurjant Singh rued the absence of a substitute and Gonasika’s Morton scored the winning goal in the dying moments as Soorma trailed.
Result:
Gonasika 2 (Xess 33, Morton 59) defeated JSW Soorma Hockey Club 1 (Rajbhar 48).
