How are Roundglass and SAI Sonipat Maintaining Their Winning Streak in the Punjab Hockey League?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Roundglass Hockey Academy remains unbeaten in the league.
- SAI Sonipat is closely trailing in the standings.
- Strong performances from teams like SDAT Hockey Academy are reshaping the competition.
- Key players are stepping up in crucial moments.
- The league fosters young talent in hockey.
Jalandhar, Sep 15 (NationPress) Roundglass Hockey Academy (RGHA) and Sports Authority of India National Centre of Excellence, Sonipat continued their impressive streak as Phase II of the second edition of the Punjab Hockey League (U 21) commenced today at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium. Both teams are firmly positioned in the top two spots of the standings, with RGHA upholding their unbeaten status while SAI Sonipat remains close behind the leaders.
In the opening match of Phase II, SDAT Hockey Academy, Tamil Nadu, achieved a convincing 3-1 victory over the last-placed Ghumanhera Risers Hockey Academy, New Delhi, boosting their points total to 10 in the league. S. Vishal gave SDAT the advantage in the seventh minute, followed by a penalty stroke conversion by S. Krishnan in the second quarter. Ghumanhera responded with a goal from Kunal Singh Chhikara, but M. Sugumar sealed the deal with a strike in the final quarter.
In the second match, SAI Sonipat surged ahead with two goals in the first quarter from Navraj Singh and Srijan Yadav. However, Naval Tata Hockey Academy, Jamshedpur, fought back to equalize with goals from Ashish Tani Purti and Premchand Soy. Ultimately, a penalty stroke by Hargun Singh and a field goal from Harpal Singh secured a 4-2 win for SAI Sonipat, maintaining their second position in the table.
The Roundglass Hockey Academy faced a fierce challenge but managed to prevail against Namdhari Hockey Academy with a score of 2-1 in a tightly contested match. Following a scoreless first half, Gurpreet Singh converted a penalty corner to give Namdhari the lead shortly after the restart. Japnit Singh equalized for RGHA seven minutes later, and as the game neared its conclusion, Gursewak Singh delivered the decisive blow in the 58th minute, marking RGHA's seventh league win.
In the day's final match, the home team PIS Surjit Hockey Academy climbed into third place with a 2-1 victory over SGPC Hockey Academy, Amritsar. Surjit Hockey Academy took the lead in the 55th minute with a penalty corner conversion by Manroop Singh. Manmeet Singh secured all three points with a strike in the 59th minute. SGPC managed to score in the final minute through Harmanreet Singh, but it was too late for a comeback.