Maqsood earns Warriors victory

Pakistani Adnan Maqsood's penalty-corner goal in the first extra-time period (silver goal) helped Maratha Warriors down Chennai Veerans 2-1 in a first leg match of the Premier Hockey League in Chennai on Wednesday night.

In the sixth minute of the 'silver goal' period, Maqsood successfully converted Maratha Warriors' third penalty-corner to clinch victory.

Chennai Veerans were more cohesive in both attack and defence throughout the match and true to the run of play they went into the lead.

Hard-working Albert Casass, Raja and Prasad made a fine move which Pramod Kumar capped with a goal.

Five minutes before the hooter, Maratha Warriors restored parity following a penalty stroke, awarded after Veerans' goalkeeper Shreejesh blocked Shivendra from taking a shot.

Dhananjay Mahdik converted the 'stroke' to level the score.

With this victory, Chennai Veerans increased their tally to eight points from five matches (three wins and two losses) and moved behind Bangalore lions and Sher-E-Jalandhar, the second and first placed teams respectively on the points' table.

Chennai Veerans increased their points' tally to seven from five matches.

Orissa Steelers also have eight points from five matches. The Veerans have one more match to go in the first leg, against leaders of the table Sher-E-Jalandhar (11 points) on Sunday, while Maratha Warriors play Orissa Steelers in their last match on February 4.