Chandigarh: World XI thrashed India XI 7-2 in an exhibition match of the upcoming World Series Hockey here on Tuesday.
As the Indians lacked finishing touch and displayed relatively poor defence, World XI outclassed the hosts in the last two quarters after sharing honours in the first two quarters. Both the teams utilised the rolling substitutions to great effect, but World XI translated the rule to maximum advantage.
World XI scored through Joseph Reardon (10th), Roderik Huber (32nd), Connon Grimes (38th), Pheiie Maguire (40th), Peter Kelly (55th, 59th) and David Seddon (67th), while for Indian XI Deepak Thakur (17th) and Dhanraj Pillay (28th) were the goal getters.
Mounting immense pressure on the Indian defence with quick exchange of passes, Reardon scored from a close range to put World XI ahead in the 10th minute. India XI engineered a couple of good moves but an alert World XI defence kept the home team forwards at bay.
However, Thakur restored parity just before the end of the first quarter from local lad Inderjit Chadha's forward pass. Soon after India XI captain Prabhjot Singh sprinted down the left flank before entering the striking circle in the 19th minute, only to find an alert World XI goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan, who had the move covered.
Mercurial Dhanraj Pillay then displayed his class to give India XI the lead in the 28th minute. But that was all India XI could manage as from there on World XI scored goals at will to easily pocket the match.
World XI pressed hard and neutralised the lead through Huber of Holland in the 32nd minute. On crossing over, World XI fired two quick goals to shatter India XI's hope. World XI, thereafter, mounted relentless pressure and pumped in two more goals in a span of five minutes through Canadian Grimes and Phelie Maguire to take a good 4-2 lead at the end of third quarter.
In the last two quarters, World XI kept the home team on their toes with continuous onslaught, which resulted in two goals in a span of four minutes from Australian Peter Kelly. Englishman Seddon then rounded off the scoreline for World XI when he converted a penalty corner with a powerful dragflick.
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