Raghunath`s hat-trick helps UP beat Mumbai 5-3 in HHIL

Mumbai: Captain V R Raghunath scored a hat-trick as Uttar Pradesh Wizards came from a two-goal deficit to thrash Mumbai Magicians 5-3 in the second edition of the Hero Hockey India League (HHIL) here today.

Raghunath scored in the 28th, 41st and 56th minutes from the penalty corners to secure the second win for his team in the league. It was the hosts who took the lead in the 12th minute through their star drag-flicker Gurjinder Singh, who converted the penalty corner with ease. Uttar Pradesh Wizards got a golden opportunity to equalise a few minutes later when the ball appeared to touch the defender`s foot and they earned a penalty stroke but they couldn`t utilise the chance as Luke Doerner failed to sound the board. The Australian defender flicked it high on the left side but it was brilliantly stopped by the Mumbai goalkeeper David Harte. Mumbai captain Glenn Turner (18th minute) later scored off a rebound after a failed target to increase the lead to 2-0. The Wizards were unable to convert most of their penalty corners and in the 25th minute Raghunath was denied a chance by Vikas Pillay, who brilliantly deflected it away. However, the visitors fought back strongly with the virtue of captain V R Raghunath`s two goals in the 28th minute and 41st minute respectively to equalise. The skipper pumped in another goal in the 56th minutes. The Roelant Oltmans-coached Uttar Pradesh Wizards surged ahead with goals from Siddharth Shanker (52nd minute) and S Uthappa (59th). Mumbai`s Sarvanjit Singh (57th minute) scored off a rebound after Gurjinder Singh got the initial touch to add another goal to the team`s kitty. By virtue of this win, the Wizards pocketed five points, while the Magicians secured one point as according to the rules of the tournament a defeat with a goal difference of two or less goals will give the losing side one point. The Mumbai Magicians will next play debutants Kalinga Lancers in Bhubaneswar on February 1, while the Uttar Pradesh Wizards will face defending champions Ranchi Rhinos in a home match on the same day.