There was no end to Jaypee Punjab Warriors’ woes as it suffered its third consecutive defeat, losing 1-2 to Uttar Pradesh Wizards in a Hockey India League match, here on Thursday.
The Punjab team’s inability to convert four penalty corners and a stroke of bad luck cost Jamie Dwyer’s side dearly at the Surjit Singh stadium.
With both the teams locked at 1-1, an error from Warriors’ goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann handed the lead to the Wizards in the 58th minute and the visitors ensured that there were no last minute hiccups.
Stockmann, who was outstanding under the bar till then, inadvertently directed a hit of Wizards’ skipper V R Raghunath into his own goal.
Earlier, Jeroen Hertzberger had put the Wizards ahead in the 17th minute but Dwyer got his team back in the match with a 40th minute strike.
“We seem to not find goals. Also we have conceded three own goals and that is an area of concern,” said Dwyer, while referring to the second goal of Wizards.
Many chances lost
The Warriors’ coach Barry Dancer said, “We missed too many opportunities today; else we would have had a better score line.
“The team has improved and is doing well and I am happy with our play. We should have a better game with Mumbai.”
Speaking about his team’s victory, Uttar Pradesh’s coach Oltmans said, “We are happy with our first game; our goal-keeper being the best in Australia has performed really well here.
“We changed our strategy from the third quarter and attached which worked really well for us.”
In its next home match, Punjab Warriors will again take on Uttar Pradesh Wizards on January 22 and Uttar Pradesh Wizards will meet Delhi Waveriders in Lucknow on January 19.
The result: Jaypee Punjab Warriors 1 (Jamie Dwyer 40) lost to Uttar Pradesh Wizards 2 (Joleh Hertzberger 17, Jaap Stockmann 58-og).
