WSH: Pune's impress in 4-2 win over Mumbai Marines

Nikkin Thimmaiah fired in two goals in the space of two minutes as Pune Strykers defeated Mumbai Marines 4-2 in the World Series Hockey here today. Young and talented, Thimmiah hogged the limelight with his double strike (43rd and 45th minutes) after the match was tantalisingly poised at 2-2. Banmali Xess (15th) and Troy Sutherland (27th), working hard upfront, grabbed the half chances that came their way to account for the goals Mumbai scored. [caption id=“attachment_254162” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Pune Strykers and Mumbai Marines players vie for ball during their World Series Hockey match in Pune. PTI”] [/caption] But Gurpeet Singh (28th) and Mario Almada (34th) restored parity in the second quarter, leaving Nikkin to showcase his skills for a fluent win. Both teams, who have lost their previous two encounters, and in dire need of a win, started cautiously. After full-back Ajmir Singh blunted many a Strykers attack, Xess’ opportunism titled the scales in favour of the Marines at the end of first quarter. Standing close to the goalie, he turned a bit before deflecting a freewheeling hit-in that rose high and found the left top corner of the net. Troy Sutherland from top of the circle, sent a reverse hand, Aijub Ekka intercepted its trajectory to deflect it to the right of the goalie for Marines’ second goal. Egged on by the sizeable home crowd, Strykers staged a comeback within no time. Gurpreet struck from the first penalty corner. His drag hit Clyde Abraham’s stick on the right end of the cage, took a ugly inward turn towards the other end of the cage, and landed inside. Five minutes later, Roshan Minz pouncd on a loose ball and promptly passed it to Mario Almada. The Argentinean couched low to send a diagonal grounder. PTI