Extra time goal takes defence boys to the final
A golden goal off an extra time penalty corner propelled Defence Services to an exciting 3-2 victory over the boys from the Matale Hockey Association and helped booked them a berth in the finals of the 40th Junior Nationals Hockey Championships, following action at the Torrington Astro Turf yesterday.
The goal was slotted in by M. Heendeniya after his side exerted sustained pressure on the offensive end during the early exchanges of added time. It also capped a late surge by the Defence Services team after they rallied from 2-1 down in regulation time to tie things up with a late goal from R. Silva.
A Matale player stretches to push the ball past Defence Services goalie T. Heendeniya. Pic by Amila Gamage
N. Bandara and C. Chandrasena shouldered scoring responsibilities for a gritty Matale team which lost its way late in the piece. Defence Services will now play the Colombo Hockey Association in the finals after the latter romped to a 7-0 triumph over Wennappuwa.
Defence Services began aggressively and reaped immediate dividends with a quick strike from Silva in the eight minute which tore past Matale goalie D. Tenne and rocketed into the net. This stunned Matale and they floundered through much of the first half trying to regain their composure.
Once they did so, early in the second half, they poured forward in waves and a goal seemed on the cards. It came in the 37th minute as Bandara guided the ball smartly goal-ward, and was followed in quick succession by a fantastic strike from C. Chandrasena which gave Matale a 2-1 lead.
It was now Defence Services’ turn to grope around in anxiety as they struggled to rediscover their attacking niche. Fortunately for them they did so in the nick of time with the dangerous Silva flicking past Tenne in the 67th minute to send things into extra time, where they were able to complete their comeback and push their way into the final.
Meanwhile in the Women’s Nationals, Defence Service’s added to their strong march with a frightening 9-1 thrashing of the Combined Universities team. This earned them a finals’ date with the Kandy Hockey Assocition, who beat State Services 3-0. Both the Women’s National and Boys’ Junior National Championship finals will be played at the Astro Turf today.
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