Hockey India League: Punjab Warriors Beat Kalinga Lancers 4-2

Punjab Warriors skipper Jamie Dwyer led from the front as his team put up a clinical performance defeating Kalinga Lancers 4-2 in a Hero Hockey India league match played under biting cold conditions, here on Sunday.

Down 1-0 in the first quarter, the Warriors came back strongly and looked aggressive keeping up the pressure on the Lancers for most part of the game thereon.

Warriors' skipper Jamie Dwyer's twin strike minutes before the half time put the local favourites back into business, with scoreline reading 2-1.

Just four minutes before the half-time, the Australian veteran first scored the equaliser through second penalty corner which his team earned.

Dwyer beat the opponent goalkeeper with his fine hit after he received a pass from teammate Rob Hammond as the Warriors foxed the Lancer's defence.

Dwyer was in action again scoring with a backhand after his team had built up an attack from the right flank, giving a lead to his team in the 28th minute.

Again in the third quarter, the Warriors quickly made amends for failing to capitalise on third penalty corner that came their way, with ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh earning his first goal in the 38th minute from the fourth penalty corner which his team got.

In the fourth and final quarter, Warriors pumped in yet another goal, with forward Dharamvir Singh scoring in the 49th minute to put his team ahead 4-1.

Earlier, the Lancers took the early lead scoring through their forward Lalit Upadhyay in 7th minute of the first quarter, who used a backhand flick to convert a sharp pass beating the Warriors' Dutch goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann.

In the final quarter, the Lancers' penalty corner specialist Gurjinder Singh scored the second goal for his team.

The Lancers failed to create the magic in this match after their convincing victory in the opener against Ranchi Rays. The Warriors, who had drawn their opener against Dabang Mumbai, looked desperate for a win at their home turf and earned their first victory from two matched played so far.

Earlier in the second quarter, the Lancers failed to convert a penalty corner that came their way while the Warriors, too, could not capitalise from a similar chance that came their way.

At the start of the third quarter, Lancers' Roshan Minz had a golden chance to score when he drew opponent goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann out to defend, but hit wide despite an empty goalpost in front of him.