Chandigarh: Orissa Steelers made their maiden appearance in the Premier Hockey League a memorable one, winning the First Division championship after overcoming Imphal Rangers 3-2 in their last league match on Sunday.
Orissa Steelers will be promoted to the Premier Division for next year's PHL.
They garnered 21 points to win the gold medal and prize money of Rs 4 lakh while Chennai Veerans with 19 points took the silver and carried home Rs 2.5 lakh.
Delhi Dazzlers earned Rs 1 lakh for the third place.
Orissa skipper Sunil Ekka won the man of the tournament and became richer by Rs 75,000 while Bangalore SAI sports hostel boy Raghunath, who scored 10 goals for Chennai Veerans through his dreaded drag-flicks to become the top-scorer of the First Division, won Rs 50,000.
New entrants Orissa showed nerves of steel to come back from 2-1 arrears with a determined effort and brush aside the challenge of the Rangers.
Knowing well that an upset by Imphal would allow Chennai Veerans to take the title, Orissa began with a bang, scoring in the very first minute.
However, a spirited display by Imphal Rangers made the match interesting and Steelers had to fight hard for the title.
Comments
0 comment