WSH: Delhi Wizards thrash Pune Strykers

Delhi Wizards got their campaign back on track, thrashing Pune Strykers 5-2 in a 12th round match of the World Series Hockey, in Pune, on Monday.

Wizards now have 16 points from 12 games while Strykers remain on 15.

However, it was the home team that surged ahead in the second minute when Mario Nicolas Almada scored off a melee.

Upendra Pillay equalised for Wizards in the 14th minute of the first quarter when he dived in front of Strykers' goalkeeper to tap the ball in.

Having equalised, Wizards came out all guns blazing in the second half with their skipper Shakeel Abbasi scoring a spectacular goal to give his team the lead.

The former Pakistan international dived to deflect a powerful cross from the flank by Philip Sunkel that caught the Strykers custodian unawares as it was angled to perfection, in the fourth minute of the second quarter (21st of the match).

In the 28th minute, it became 3-1 as Vikramjeet Singh converted a drag-flick in style.

In the 32nd minute, Wizards made it 4-1 when Sunkel, after entering the striking zone, took a powerful reverse hit which was parried by the Strykers goalie but the ball lobbed up.

Victor Singh, who was lurking nearby, positioned himself well to tap the ball home.

Drag-flicker Vikramjeet again showed "Sandeep Singh-like skills" with another perfect conversion in the 38th minute that saw them go 5-1 up.

Bikash Toppo reduced the margin to 2-5 when he converted a penalty stroke in the third quarter.