Bangalore Lions beat Hyderabad Sultans 4-2, finish 3rd in PHL

Riding on Sandeep Michael's brace, defending Champions Bangalore Lions beat Hyderabad Sultans 4-2 in their last league match to finish third in the Premier Hockey League here tonight.

The Lions may have failed to reach the finals this time, but they finished with a points tally of 20 while the Sultans suffered their sixth straight defeat in the tournament and have just six points at the bottom of the table.

Playing under flood lights in cold weather conditions, both teams played some attacking game early on and Sandeep Michael gave lead to Lions in the 5th minute scoring from a penalty corner.

However, the Sultans were quick to respond, with Sharanjeet Singh scoring the equaliser from a penalty corner in the 13th minute of the first quarter and Pakistani import Tariq Aziz scoring a field goal in the 15th minute to take his team 2-1 up.

The Lions fought back their way again in the 26th minute of the second quarter when Hari Prasad scored a field goal.

Locked at 2-2 at half time, the Lions launched some attacks on the opposition and were awarded a penalty stroke at the end of the third quarter.

Aiyappa found the post easily and gave his team 3-2 lead in the 53rd minute.

With just fourth and last quarter remaining in the match, the Sultans tried to fight a losing battle. Sandeep Michael found his second goal from the fifth penalty corner in the 63rd minute, scoring off a rebound from the goalkeeper.

The crowds were missing in today's match, mainly due to the rainy weather which forced mercury to fall sharply.

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