Australia’s Jacob Whetton scored an early field goal to hand Jaypee Punjab Warriors a 2-0 victory over defending champions Ranchi Rays in their opening match of the Hockey India League Season Four her
Australia’s Jacob Whetton scored an early field goal to hand Jaypee Punjab Warriors a 2-0 victory over defending champions Ranchi Rays in their opening match of the Hockey India League Season Four here on Tuesday.
Under the newly-introduced scoring system, a field goal is counted as two and the hosts did enough to defend their early strike to pocket full points from the encounter.
Whetton found the opposition net as early as in the second minute to hand Punjab the lead which they defended stoutly to keep the title holders quiet.
Whetton slotted home a fine field goal from a counter-attack after he was brilliantly assisted by Punjab Warriors skipper Sardar Singh, who switched base from Delhi Waveriders, this season.
Ranchi came out all guns blazing in the final quarter but their forwardline failed to get the final touch which could have earned them atleast a draw.
The Warriors will meet last year’s bronze medallists Delhi Waveriders in their next match here on Wednesday.
