The match between SM Nagar and Dhyand Veerans turned out to be a nail-biting affair, leaving the audience at the edge of their seats till the very end. SM Nagar stunned the Veerans with a draw and then won the shootout to take home a bonus point.
SM Nagar's veterans, Reserve entrants Satish, and Ashok played a crucial role in stopping the Veerans' attacking forward line. Yokesh, who held the left flank with complete control, was the pick of the SMN team.
According to Jagan, an awestruck fan, "I never thought SMN would be able to hold their own against the Veerans, but they played with so much heart and passion that it was impossible not to root for them."
The match saw heated exchanges, stick clashes, and body pushes, which were a treat to watch from the sidelines. Kumar, another fan, said, "This was one of the best matches I've ever seen. The energy and passion of both teams were incredible, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time."
SMN drew first blood with Karthik in the 16th minute, which changed the rhythm of the game. The Veerans retaliated with an array of circle penetrations and a continuous string of penalty corners, with Sanjay Xalco netting the first goal for the Veerans. The third quarter was evenly matched, with the ball moving from one half to the other with equal pace and vigor.
Dhushal's goal in the 47th minute had the audience amused, but the Veerans fought back and equalized with Muthuselvan's slap hit deflected by Dhanesh onto the SMN goal.
The match was decided by a penalty shootout, where SMN's man of the match, goalkeeper Shyam, came to their rescue by saving two crucial shots. The Veerans' Sanjay Xalco and Dhanush missed their shootouts, which ultimately sealed their fate. Raja of SM Nagar was adjudged the man of the match for his solid mid-field play and the sleek shootout goal.
SMN's captain, Prabakar, was elated with the team's performance and said, "This win means a lot to us. We knew the Veerans were tough competitors, but we never gave up and fought till the end. It's a proud moment for the entire team."
On the other hand, Laxman Karan, the captain of the Veerans, was disappointed with the loss and said, "We played well, but SMN was exceptional today. We'll bounce back stronger in our next match and make sure we don't make the same mistakes again."
In conclusion, the match between SM Nagar and Dhyand Veerans was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, leaving the audience and fans spellbound by the display of hockey. It was a testament to the spirit of the game and the perseverance of the players.
Match Officials: Umpires: Mr Surya Prakash & Mr Ganpathy Scoring Judge: Mr Paul Dominic Divyaraj
Technical Officer: S Thirgnanavelan
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