Correction: Nyayadhani Knights Beat Rajdhani Royals 2-1 in Chhattisgarh Hockey League Opener
We got the score wrong earlier tonight, so let’s fix it properly.
The Nyayadhani Knights beat the Rajdhani Royals 2-1 in the Chhattisgarh Hockey League opener in Raipur on Thursday night, not 2-0 as first reported here from the league’s live score graphics. The full agency match report has the Royals scoring, and the details check out minute by minute.
Chirag put the Knights ahead in the 12th minute, converting a penalty corner that the first rusher and Royals goalkeeper Himanshu Malik couldn’t keep out. Ketan Kushwaha doubled the lead early in the second quarter, beating a couple of defenders before finding the net. Raushan pulled one back for the Royals, the lone goal for Lalit Upadhyay’s side.
Surender stood like a wall
The game had plenty else going on. Knights captain Surender Kumar took a blow to the face in the second quarter while blocking a pass meant for Royals’ Aniket Kujur, and still ran the defence like a wall for the rest of the night. The Royals pushed numbers forward in the third quarter and got into the circle again and again, but the finishing just wasn’t there.
Ketan Kushwaha was named Player of the Match and took the Striker of the Match award too. A fourth-quarter collision between Premchand Soy and Chirag stopped play briefly, but both sides finished the game.
Before the men’s match, the opening-night exhibition game finished Indravati Tigress 4-1 Mahanadi Falcons, with Aanchal Sahu scoring twice and Leena Korse and Mamteshwari Lahare adding one each. Riya Xalxo scored for the Falcons.
Night two in Raipur
The league rolls straight on. Friday’s card at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium has Mainpat Titans v Bailadila Bulls at 5.30pm IST, then Chakradhar Champions v Sanskardhani Strikers at 7.30pm IST.
Six teams, 18 matches, final on 1 November. Night one belonged to the Knights, and now we know by the right score.
Our first report, now corrected: Knights beat Royals 2-1. Also tonight: the Murugappa Gold Cup Day 1 thriller and the Live Centre.
