Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers players gave it their all against Tamil Nadu Dragons in their Hockey India League (HIL) match but it wasn't enough as the latter won 2-1 to make it two wins in two matches, at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Friday.
Karthi Selvam and Uttam Singh scored one goal each for the Dragons, while captain Rupinder Pal Singh pulled one back for Bengal Tigers when he converted a penalty stroke in the 35th minute.
The win helped Dragons replace Bengal Tigers at the top of the table with 12 points from 5 matches. As far as Bengal Tigers are concerned, it was their second defeat on the trot.
Earlier, although Bengal Tigers won the first PC of the game, it was Karthi who put the Dragons in lead. It was one minute into the second quarter that Uttam played the ball from near the left baseline towards the front of the goal where Selvam got a touch and deflected it into the net.
Dragons then could have made it 2-0 within seconds but this time goalkeeper Jamie Carr came out of his blocks and kept out the cross from the right. Nathan Ephraums had a chance to score off the rebound but the Bengal defenders did well to block his shot.
The goal brought to life Colin Batch's men and they went all out in search of the equalizer but it wasn't to be. While Dragons goalkeeper David Harte made innumerable saves, captain Amit Rohidas was spot on with his defensive work and denied Affan Yousuf from scoring late in the second quarter.
Bengal Tigers' consistent pressure finally paid off when they won their third PC after the change of ends. Sam Lane took it and the shot hit the foot of Thomas Sorsby on the line.
As a result Bengal Tigers were awarded a penalty stroke and Rupinder converted to make it 1-1 five minutes into the third quarter. But the Dragons took back the lead two minutes later and this time it was Uttam who sounded the board following a pass from the right by Moritz Ludwig.
However, as the game progressed, Bengal Tigers created chance after chance and won overall 10 PCs. They also won a second penalty stroke and had a two-man advantage towards the end.
Despite all this, the Bengal Tigers failed to find the target and Dragons held on for their third win of the tournament.
