Captain Adam Sinclair scored a brace as Chennai Veerans bulldozed former champions Hyderabad Sultans 4-1 in the inaugural match of the Premier Hockey League in Chennai on Thursday.
Veerans opened the account in the 17th minute with a brilliant reverse hit by Vikram Kanth and took control of the match, having a better share of exchanges, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium.
In the third quarter, a superb move from the right flank saw Sinclair pass the ball to Pawal Lakra in the circle before moving into the goalmouth.
Pawal dribbled on the goalline and sent a sizzling cross to Adam, but the ball deflected to Suresh Kumar, who sent in a quick reverse flick that Raja tapped home to make it 2-0.
Later, Sinclair struck two goals in the 49th and 50th minutes to virtually seal the fate of the match.
However, Sultans, who forced nine penalty-corners, reduced the margin by converting the last one, a minute before the hooter.
Veerans wasted all the three penalty-corners corners for want of a good stopper.
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