21^st February, 2016, Ranchi:  Spectators at Ranchi today witnessed some top class hockey at the Astro Turf Hockey Stadium where third time finalists Jaypee Punjab Warriors were crowned Champions of the 4^th Coal India Hockey India League. Jaypee Punjab Warriors who finished as the Runners Up for 2014 & 2015 finally emerged victorious in their third attempt defeating Kalinga Lancers 6-1 in a match largely dominated by the former. Jaypee Punjab Warriors who registered this emphatic win through an excellent forward line, who converted quick goals for the team to ensure their victory in the 4^th Coal India Hockey India League.

Jaypee Punjab Warriors crowned the Champions of the 4th Coal India Hockey India League

The match started on an attacking note as Kalinga Lancers were welcomed by a series of attacks from Jaypee Punjab Warriors. Jaypee Punjab Warriors struck early in the game through a field goal in the 4^th minute through talented youngster Armaan Qureshi to take a 2-0 lead over Kalinga Lnacers. This was followed by Kalinga Lancers launching some good attacks but the Jaypee Punjab Warriors defenders stood upto their reputation denying the Lancers any opportunity to score. The first quarter came to an end with Jaypee Punjab Warriors leading 2-0.

The second quarter began with Kalinga Lancers taking the lead on launching successive attacks on Jaypee Punjab Warriors but were unsuccessful in converting any opportunity to their favour. Jaypee Punjab Warriors showcased impeccable defence but Kalinga Lancers finally broke the deadlock in the 24^th minute through a penalty corner conversion through Captain Moritz Fuerste. With this goal Kalinga now trailed 1-2 in the game. The second quarter came to an end with Jaypee Punjab Warriors leading 2-1 in the game.

The third quarter began with Jaypee Punjab Warriors keen to extend their lead. Their consecutive attacks on the Kalinga Lancers goal post, finally yielded results through back to back field goals in the 39^th and 42^nd minutes through Matt Ghodes and Satbir Singh respectively. With this Jaypee Punjab Warriors took a huge lead of 6-1 in the game. The third quarter came to an end with the score board reading 6-1 in the favour of Jaypee Punjab Warriors.

The final quarter of the match began with Kalinga Lancers trying hard to reduce the gap but the Punjab defenders were in no mood to let go off their lead in the match. Jaypee Punjab Warriors on the counter created some strong moves but Kalinga Lancers were successful in foiling all their attempts to score any further. The match came to an end with Jaypee Punjab Warriors emerging the Champions of the 4^th Coal India Hockey India League, defeating Kalinga Lancers 6-1 at the Astro Turf Hockey Stadium, Ranchi.

Mark Knowles from Jaypee Punjab Warriors walked away with The Man of the Match award of INR 50,000. The Coal India Goal of the Match award of INR 50,000 was awarded to Armaan Qureshi from Jaypee Punjab Warriors by Mr. R.S Mahapatra, Director (Personnel), CCL. The Hero Emerging Player of the Match award of INR 25,000 was awarded to Armaan Qureshi from Jaypee Punjab Warriors, while The Most Entertaining Player of the Match’ award went to Pradeep Mor from Kalinga Lancers.

Jaypee Punjab Warriors who were crowned Champions of the 4^th Coal India Hockey India League walked away with a winners cheque of INR 2.50 Crores alongwith the winner’s trophy.  Honourable Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Mr. Raghubar Das presented the winner’s trophy to Jaypee Punjab Warriors Captain Sardar Singh and Mark Knowles. Kalinga Lancers who finished as the Runner’s up in the 4^th Coal India Hockey India League were awarded a cheque of INR 1.25 Crores. The Dhruv Batra Maximum Goals award for the maximum goals scored by an individual of INR 20.00 Lac was awarded by Mr. Leandro Negre, President, FIH to Kalinga Lancers Glenn Turner. The Ponty Chadha Upcoming Player of the Tournament award of INR 20.00 Lac went to Sumit from the Ranchi Rays. The Coal India Player of the Tournament Award of INR 50.00 Lac was awarded to Rupinder Pal Singh from the Delhi Waveriders.

The six team annual franchise based hockey league, the flagship event of Hockey India – the apex body governing the sport in the country and sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) was played across six venues in India from 18th January – 21st February 2016.

Tags: Astroturf Hockey Stadium, Champions, Coal India, Coal India Hockey India League, Delhi Waveriders, Hockey India League, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Ranchi Rays