Bangalore: Lion-hearted Len Aiyappa lighted up Karnataka Lions campaign with a heroic hat-trick to floor fighting Chandigarh Comets 3-2 in the exciting second match of Bridgestone World Series Hockey on Tuesday.
Veteran player Len summoned all years of experience to give his side its first victory in four matches at the picturesque KSHA stadium here.
The Lions, laid low at the bottom of the points table after six exciting days of World Series Hockey, thus comes alive to count in the Series in the days to come.
Chandigarh came out strongly in the second half to narrow down the lead to 2-3, but the Lions’ defenders, Len and Zeeshan Ashraff, saw them off with girt and gumption.
World Cup player Bharat Chhikara came closely to be the game changer for his team, yet his brace of goals (37, 63 mins) and the numerous he sallies he set for his mates, fell short of making it up fully.
Len first sent a stunner between the goalkeeper and a defender off the first penalty corner (9 min, 1-0), and ten minutes later dispatched a high ball into the top of roof to enhance the lead. The third goal off the third penalty corner was a perfect grounder that found home at the left end of the net (25 min) with a touch of deflection from the goalie.
The variation of Len was too much for the Comets to stomach. Young but erratic Comets never come out of the shock the star striker applied on them despite late surges.
Karnataka coach Jude Felix today brought young Jagdeep Dayal to safeguard its cage in place of Devesh Chauhan, who played in the previous three outings. With timely rushes to the top of circle when confronted with solo attempts, and kicking of couple of lethal hits of Kabbar Singh from goal line, Dayal saw to it his citadel remain in tact in the initial phase. The youngster thus presented perfect setting for Len to make his own piece of history.
Ravi Pal and Dhanraj Pillay had a good outing, dictating rhythm and controlling moves which checked Comets whenever they came strongly. With a strong defence, Karnataka did not allow usually unstoppable Rehan Butt any elbow room either.
Fearsome forward Bharat Chhikara, on the other hand, was a flesh in the thorn of the Lions. Chhikara set up many goal moves, and then struck one from top of the circle late in the last quarter to make a match of it (3-2). Otherwise error prone Ramandeep Singh struck from a reverse shot to give his side the first break.
The sides changed for lemon time, with Karnataka sitting pretty with Len’s hattrick. Comets played their best in the third and fourth quarter. They scored a brace but could not make it a draw which was other truly fitting.
Comets entered the circle more than the Lions, had better ball possession, and took more shots at goals, but found wanting in the scoring act.
It was the day of Len, and the results had to go his way.
Declaring him Man of the Match today was a small salute to a great hero.
