Chandigarh Comets shine with 3-1 win over Sher-E-Punjab

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The tables have turned once again in the inaugural Bridgestone World Series Hockey. In a crucial match, Chandigarh Comets beat favourites Sher-E-Punjab 3-1, to notch up their second win and climb up in the table after their early setbacks in the tournament.

Chandigarh Comets players during the group Discussion at Bridgestone World Series Hockey 2012 at ChandigarhGangling youngster, Gurjinder Singh played a stellar role in Comets’ superb victory over their much fancied rivals, with a brace coming off his penalty corners. The youngster was bang on target off the first penalty corner in a lovely variation in the second minute of play, and struck once more off the team’s sixth penalty corner six minutes before the hooter. Canadian star Sukhwinder ‘Gabbar’ Singh entered his name on the scoreboard in between Gurjinder’s brace. Gabbar unleashed a thunder from the top of the circle that hit the roof of the net.

Australian tornado Mathew Hotchkis tapped in a penalty corner rebound to give Shers a chance to fight out in the 59th minute, but their hopes were dashed by Gurjinder’s second blow. Sher-E-Punjab, despite their aggressive game, failed upfront with their inaccurate shooting. Bharat Chhikara had a terrific game today as he was behind most of the penetrating moves made by the Comets in the match.  Continue reading →

Lion-hearted Len Aiyappa lights up Karnataka’s campaign with heroic hat-trick

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Len Aiyappa scored a heroic hat-trick to help Karnataka Lions floor the fighting Chandigarh Comets 3-2 in the exciting second match of Day 7 of the Bridgestone World Series Hockey on Tuesday.

Veteran player Len summoned all his years of experience to give his side its first victory in four matches at the picturesque KSHA stadium here.

The Lions, laid low at the bottom of the points table after six exciting days of Bridgestone World Series Hockey, thus ignited a spark which they will hope to carry further into the tournament.

Chandigarh came out strongly in the second half to narrow down the lead to 2-3, but the Lions’ defenders, Len and Zeeshan Ashraf, saw them off with girt and gumption. Continue reading →

Comets beat Marines 5-2, Young Guns Gurjinder Singh and sukhwinder Singh Shine

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Mumbai: 4 March 2012: Emerging young stars Gurjinder Singh and sukhwinder Singh played a stellar role in steering Chandigarh Comets to a famous 5-2 victory over Mumbai Marines in the Bridgestone World Series Hockey here on Sunday.

Chandigarh Comets players during the group Discussion at Bridgestone World Series Hockey 2012 at Chandigarh

Chandigarh Comets players during the group Discussion at Bridgestone World Series Hockey 2012 at Chandigarh

The energy and enthusiasm of the young outfit was such that despite missing sitters all along they had enough on the board to outclass and outperform the much acclaimed home side. What a way for the Comets to post their first win three matches!

Comets stuck a goal apiece in each quarter, and a brace in the last to hand out a humiliating defeat to the Marines on their home ground.

But for excellent work under the bar by goalkeeper-captain Adrian D’souza, the score could have well been in double digit for the visiting side.

The Marines went defensive after striking a brace of goals in the first half, and then were not allowed to come out of the mould they were ducked into. On the other hand, after a sedate start, the Comets descended on the Marines’ shores relentlessly and walked away with pride.

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Warsi short corners stun Comets

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Chandigarh, 3 March 2012: A brilliant show by drag-flick specialist Syed Imran Warsi of Pakistan helped Chennai Cheetahs to post an emphatic 5-3 victory over Chandigarh Comets in the Bridgestone World Series Hockey at the Sector 42 Stadium here on Saturday.

Chennai Cheeths player Imran Warsi celebrating after score a goal at Chandigarh

Chennai Cheeths player Imran Warsi celebrating after score a goal at Chandigarh

Two quick goals, early in the first quarter, helped Chennai Cheetahs to dominate the proceedings with better ball possession and they added a third goal in the second quarter to take 3-0 lead with Warsi converting his second short corner. But the Chandigarh Comets came back quickly to pull one back and only a brilliant goalline save by Vikram Pillay seconds before half-time prevented them from being at a striking distance.

Imran Warsi opened the account for Chennai Cheetahs, converting the first set-piece of the match with his trademark drag-flick. He sent in a powerful one to the right hand top corner of the net which brooked no answer from the goalkeeper in the 8th minute. Continue reading →

Badshahs reign over Comets in 4-3 thriller in Bridgestone WSH

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Laxman stars with 2 goals; last 4 goals came in 7 minutes

Chandigarh, February 29: Bhopal Badshahs were off to a great start in the inaugural match of the Bridgestone World Series Hockey, clinching full three points. The Badshahs beat Chandigarh Comets 4-3 in a thriller which went down to the wires, much to the joy of the packed Sector-42 Stadium here late Wednesday.

Bhopal BadshahsThe last quarter witnessed four goals within a span of seven  minutes as Badshahs came from behind, firing all cylinders after trailing 1-2 at the end of the third quarter. The scorers for the winners were Laxman Baskaran (6th and 63rd minute), Geowynee Kyle Gamiet (26th minute) and Affan Yousuf (61st minute) while Gurjinder Singh struck a brace (22nd minute & 57th minute) and Jasjit Kular Singh scored the other goal (29th minute). Continue reading →

Chandigarh Comets take on Bhopal Badshahs in inaugural Bridgestone WSH

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The big day has arrived and the inaugural match of the 2012 Bridgestone World Series Hockey (WSH) between Chandigarh Comets and Bhopal Badshahs, will usher a new era in Indian hockey. At every major league, an athlete or team emerges to define the tournament, and both the Comets and Badshahs players are eyeing to steal the limelight in the historic opener. 

bridgestone world series hockey wsh logo

Bridgestone World Series Hockey Logo

Dazzling Performances by Mika, Neha Dhupia, and other Bollywood Stars

The Sector-42 Stadium is set to stage a spectacular Opening Ceremony, which will begin at 7pm. The Grand Opening will feature superstar Saif Ali Khan. The power packed line up of performers include singing sensation Mika, super performer Neha Dhupia, ‘Rockstar’ singer Harshdeep Kaur, and many others.

Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan said “I look forward to being a part of the opening ceremony of World Series Hockey. The association of Agent Vinod with this action-packed event was more of an emotional reason as my grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, represented India in hockey. Our national sport has been ignored for a while and an initiative like this will ensure the sport is given its due attention and will resonate well with the youth of India.”

Over the next 34 days beginning from February 29, we will see 200 hockey players from across the world, sweat it out in 59 matches, shown live in more than 30 countries, to clinch the biggest purse in a hockey tournament and the glistening trophy. Continue reading →