Orissa show steely nerves to win second final

Chandigarh, Mar 4 (UNI) Orissa Steelers displayed their steely nerves as they prevailed over roaring Sher-E-Jalandhar by 2-1 in the second of the best-of-three finals in the Premier Hockey League being played at the floodlit Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here today.

With this win, Steelers, led by Dilip Tirkey, restored parity in the finals as they had lost to Shers in the opening final on March 2.The third and deciding final will be played tomorrow at 7 p.m.

It was Shers, who drew the first blood through Tejbir Singh in the 22nd minute while Roshan Minz restored parity in the 38th minute.

Roshan Minz himself clinched the issue in favour of Orissa Steelers in the 68th minute with a field goal.

Orissa Steelers were without the services of Pakistan player Adnan Zakir, who was hit on the bridge of his nose in the first final on March 4. Sher-e-Jalandhar played without Baljit Singh Saini. If the Steelers were more skillful, the Shers were more robust in their approach. However, both started with a cautious approach and both teams got one penalty corner each in the first quarter.

As the second final, watched by Indian Hockey Federation president KPS Gill and guest from Pakistan Hockey Federation, progressed, more than 12,000 Holi (day) spectators were treated to scintillating hockey, both Asian style of short passes and individual dribbling skills and one-touch European style.

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