Jaypee Punjab Warriors were today
crowned Hockey India League champions as they clinched their maiden title after
thrashing Kalinga Lancers 6-1 in a lop-sided summit clash here today. The Punjab
based side was third time lucky as they had finished runners-up in the last two
editions. They lost to Delhi Waveriders in 2014 and to Ranchi Rays Last year.
The Warriors, who had finished
second in the round robin league phase, totally dominated the final match of
the fourth edition of the tournament at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium. They lead
2-1 at the end of the second quarter but pumped in the two field strikes with
each field goal counting as two in the final two quarters to take the game away
from the reach of Kalinga Lancers.
Armaan Qureshi (4th Minute),
Matt Gohdes (39th) and Satbir Singh (42nd) found the
target for Punjab Warriors while Captain Mortiz Fuerste scored the consolation
goal for Kalinga Lancers in the 24th minute. The Warriors forward
line was too good to handle for the Lancers who had to defend their citadel for
most part of the final two quarters. The match started on an attacking note as
Kalinga Lancers were straightaway put under pressure by a series of attacks
from Jaypee Punjab Warriors.
Earlier in the day, Delhi
Waveriders got the better of defending champions Ranchi Rays 2-0 in the bronze
medal play off match to finish third. The Warriors walked away with a winner’s
cheque of Rs 2.50 crore along with the winner’s trophy. Kalinga Lancers
pocketed a cheque of Rs 1.25 crore for finishing as runners up. The player of
the tournament Award of Rs 50 lakh was awarded to Rupinder Pal Singh of Delhi
Waveriders.
Mark Knowles of the Warriors walked
away with the Man of the Match Award, which carried Rs 50,000. The goal of the
match award of Rs 50,000 was awarded to Armaan Qureshi of the Warriors. The Emerging
player of the Award of Rs 25,000 was awarded also to Armaan Qureshi. The Dhruv
Batra Maximum Goals award of Rs 20 Lakh was awarded to Kalinga Lancers Glenn
Turner. The Ponty Chadha Upcoming Player of the Tournament award of Rs 20 Lakh
went to Sumit of Ranchi Rays.
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