Orissa Steelers, Sher-E-Jalandhar win

Chennai:

Orissa Steelers, helped by a brace of goals by Damandeep Singh, defeated Maratha Warriors 2-0 on Sunday. With this win they have emerged on top with 14 points at the end of the first leg of the 2007 ESPN Professional Hockey League in Chennai. In an earlier match, Sher-E-Jalandhar got the better of Chennai Veerans 2-1. Jarnil Singh (31st minute) and Gagan Ajit Singh (55th) scored for Sher-E-Jalandhar and Somanna (61st) netted for Chennai Veerans. Though Sher-E-Jalandhar (four wins) also finished with 14 points, Orissa Steelers emerged the leader by virtue of more number of wins, five from six matches. Good opportunism In a defence oriented game, Orissa Steelers cashed in on their first opportunity to score in the 33rd minute. Prabodh Tirkey latched on to a mispass and moved from the centre to the left and then shot goalward. Showing good opportunism, Damandeep Singh deflected the ball. Though goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza tried to stop it with his left hand, the ball went in just above the shoulders of D'Souza. A minute later, Warriors' goal almost fell again, but Dutchman Tjeerd Steller's shot was gloved by D'Souza and hit the cross piece before bouncing back into play.

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