Sandeep’s scorcher helps Ranchi beat Punjab

Ranchi, January 30 

Former India captain Sandeep Singh struck the winning goal from a penalty corner as defending champions Ranchi Rays rallied to beat Punjab Warriors 5-4 and jump to the top of table in the Hockey India League here today. Sandeep sent his drag-flick crashing into the Warriors net in the 43rd minute to give his side their fourth win in five matches.

The Warriors led 2-0 at the end of the first quarter after a field goal from Armaan Qureshi in the seventh minute. The hosts took a 4-1 lead in the second quarter through field strikes from Kothajit Singh (18th) and Daniel Beale (28th). The visiting side restored parity in the 31st minute with Satbir Singh scoring a field goal. There was little to separate the two sides.

Ranchi, however, had the last laugh as Sandeep’s goal, his first of this edition, turned out to be the winner in the end. — PTI