Uttar Pradesh Wizards (UPW) stunned Jaypee Punjab Warriors (JPW) 3-0 in an exciting Hockey India League (HIL) clash at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here on Thursday.
Akashdeep Singh struck a field goal in the 44th minute to give the Wizards a 2-0 lead. Gonzalo Peillat (60th minute) converted a penalty corner in the dying moments of the match. Each field goal is being counted as two goals in this edition of the HIL.
The Wizards thus registered their second consecutive win and are now placed fifth on the HIL table with 17 points.
Punjab Warriors started on an attacking note, but some tenacious defending by UPW coupled with superb goalkeeping from P.R. Sreejesh ensured that the hosts could not convert any of their attempts. The goalless first half saw a lot of the game being played in the midfield. While both the sides had several scoring chances, top class goalkeeping and excellent defence ensured that the teams were locked 0-0 by the end of the second period.
The third quarter began on a similar note with both teams playing a lot in the midfield. Uttar Pradesh Wizards however, were the more attacking of the two teams. The visitors' perseverance in the Punjab circle finally saw results when a clever deflection from Akashdeep in the last few seconds of the third quarter gave the Wizards a 2-0 lead.
The fourth quarter began with the Warriors desperately trying to make a comeback. But the Wizards continued their attacking hockey and their efforts saw results in the final minute of the game when Peillat smashed home a penalty corner.