New Delhi: Kalinga Lancers produced an authoritative performance to thrash Jaypee Punjab Warriors 7-0 and confirm a semi-final slot of the Hockey India League-5 here on Saturday.
The win put Punjab in a bind over their last-four ambitions. With 17 points from nine matches, they remain rooted to the bottom of the six-team tournament with only one game in hand.
Punjab now have only a theoretical chance of qualification as they have to beat Uttar Pradesh Wizards in their final league phase match on Monday and hope results of other matches go their way.
Kalinga consolidated their second position with 28 points after 10 games behind Dabang Mumbai.
Kalinga were in control throughout, grabbing the lead in the ninth minute through Adam Dixon’s stunning near post finish.
Captain Moritz Fuerste’s well-directed penalty corner extended the lead to 3-0 in the 24th.
At half time, Kalinga were comfortably 3-0 ahead. Lalit Upadhyay ensured Kalinga’s domination with a superb field goal in the 34th minute.
At 5-0, Punjab’s morale took a beating.
They tried to regroup and pushed forward hoping for a win into the match but were left exposed at the back, allowing Dharamvir Singh to cleverly deflect Mala Singh’s pass into the net in the 39th for the final scoreline.
