HIL: UP Wizards hammer Punjab Warriors 4-1

Uttar Pradesh Wizards finally recorded its first win in its last game on home turf, defeating Jaypee Punjab Warriors 4-1 in a Hockey India League (HIL) match.

UP Wizards are placed third in the table after their victory over Jaypee Punjab Warriors

Uttar Pradesh Wizards finally recorded its first win in its last game on home turf, defeating Jaypee Punjab Warriors 4-1 in a Hockey India League (HIL) match, here today.

With this win, Wizards now is placed third in the league table with 23 points in its kitty, keeping its hopes alive for a place in the semi-finals, to be played in Ranchi on February 20.

The first quarter began with Jaypee Punjab Warriors pressing hard to take an upper hand in the match, but the host was well prepared to handle the pressure, not allowing the visitor any chance to score.

Uttar Pradesh Wizards, which has so far lost all its home games, was playing carefully, but the visitor kept pressing hard and its efforts were finally rewarded through a penalty corner in the 10th minute.

Mark Gleghorne from the Jaypee Punjab Warriors made no mistakes in converting the penalty corner giving the team an early lead of 1-0 in the match.

The rest of the quarter saw Uttar Pradesh Wizards trying to equalise but Jaypee Punjab Warriors held on to its lead successfully. The second quarter saw Uttar Pradesh Wizards entering the field charged up and making a few good moves.

Its efforts finally saw results as Argentine Gonazlo Peillat scored the equaliser through a penalty corner in the 19th minute. The second quarter thereafter was majorly played on the midfield, and came to an end with one goal to both the sides.

The second half began much like the second quarter with Uttar Pradesh Wizards looking to attack the Warriors.

The host made some good moves and moved into the opponents circle and was awarded with another penalty corner within two minutes of play in the third quarter.

Gonazlo Peillat made no mistakes in converting the penalty corner giving the host a much needed lead of 2-1 in the game. Uttar Pradesh Wizards seemed hungry for more and kept on pressing hard breaking through Jaypee Punjab Warriors defence line very often.

After a series of unsuccessful attempts, Uttar Pradesh Wizards finally got their act together in the 43rd minute, through a field goal from Agustin Mazilli, thereby taking a comfortable lead of 4-1 in the game.

The final quarter of the match began with the energised Uttar Pradesh Wizards attacking to score. Most of the game now was taking place around the Jaypee Punjab Warriors circle but some missed traps and some good saves from Clemons Tristan ensured the host did not add on to its lead.