Bangalore Hi-Fliers enhanced their chances of making the semi-finals when they beat Chennai Veerans 4-2 in the fourth edition of the Premier Hockey League at the Sector 42 Stadium in Chandigarh on Saturday.
Veerans, who suffered their fourth successive loss, are now out of reckoning for a berth in the final four.
They played their best match in the tournament and dominated the first two quarters but Bangalore came back strongly in the second half.
Veerans took the lead in the 14th minute with drag-flick specialist Raghunath converting their only penalty corner with a powerful flick to the right corner of the net.
But their joy was shortlived as Bangalore restored parity within three minutes scoring a stunning field goal.
Arjun Halappa sent a fierce cross into the goalmouth from the right corner and Cheyanna sidestepped defender Vikramjit Singh and scored past Chennai custodian Sreejesh.
For Veerans, forwards Raja and Adam Sinclair made menacing moves upfront but it was Bangalore who took the lead in the 40th minute.
They earned the first of their three short corners and Len Aiyappa's drag flick beat an outstretched Sreejesh but the goal-bound ball hit the shoulder of defender Raghunath.
Umpire Parnam Singh consulted the TV umpire and confiremed the penalty storke. Len Aiyappa made no mistake from the spot shooting to the right of the goalkeeper. (2-1).
Veerans kept themselves in the race scoring the equaliser in the 49th minute through a brilliant field goal.
Suresh sent a long through pass into the circle and skipper Adam Sinclair received the ball, pulled back and tapped into the goal.
However, five minutes later Bangalore shot ahead once again with brilliant work from their Korean import You Hyo-sik.
Hyo-sik sent a cross into the circle and Cheyanna darted in from behind the goalkeeper to tap in (3-2).
With Chennai going all out for the equaliser, the Hi-Fliers increased the margin with a minute to go from a swift turnover.
Hyo Sik darted into the circle and with goalie Sreejesh advancing at him, he scooped the ball over his head to Hariprasad at the goalmouth.
Hari controlled the ball in the air and shot home into an open goal.
Cheyanna, who scored two goals, was named Man of the Match.
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