NAN-S-20
Hockey
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, July 12, 2017 (NAN) Defending champions Niger Flickers on Wednesday whipped Police Machine 4-0 to consolidate on their apex position on the 7-team table of the ongoing 2017 Hockey Super League in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the week-long tournament which ends on Saturday is holding at the National Stadium’s Package B.
Police Machine were up against a relentless Niger Flickers side who initiated a lot of attacks as they mounted pressure right from the first blast of the referees’whistle.
The defending champions made several incursions from all sides of Police Machine’s defenceline to create a lot of goal scoring opportunities for the team.
The one-sided encounter saw Niger Flickers scoring a goal in each quarter to round up a four-star performance.
Wilson Benard who is currently the highest goal scorer with four goals so far in the tournament opened the scoring in the 18th minute.
This was after a deflected ball found the goal poacher in the opponents’ goal area for an easy tap-in.
Ahmed Dakumi, one of the team’s experienced players, added the second goal through a powerful shot from about 30 yards out after a lovely solo run in the 29th minute.
The Minna-based team continued to torment their opponents with quicksilver moves and better control of free space and scored their first penalty corner in the 45th minute to make it 3-0.
Danladi Umar rounded off the game with a crisp reverse hit which left the goalkeeper gaping.
“We are here for a purpose and are equal to the task. Most of the teams came really prepared, but they are honestly no match for my team,’’ an elated Nuhu Jatau, the team’s Technical Adviser, said.
“My boys played according to instructions and that was why we created and scored a lot of goals.
“I instructed the boys to play a 4-3-1-2 formation.
“The idea was to mount a lot pressure on our opponents and not allow them even a second to breathe and that was how we penetrated from their wings and created a lot of scoring opportunities.’’
A frustrated Sunday Chawai, the Head Coach of Police Machine, declined to comment on the outcome of the match.
In the results of other matches also played on Wednesday, IGP Flickers defeated Union Bank 2-1 in the league’s male competition.
Rivers Kings who are yet to win a match in the tournament lost 0-2 to Yobe Desert Rollers in another male competition game.
Table toppers Niger Flickers who have won all their matches so far are on 12 points after four matches.
The Police Machine, who are with seven points, and Union Bank with five points occupy the second and third positions respectively.
In the women’s category, Kada Queens were 2-0 winners over Benue Amazons, while IGP Babes lost 0-2 to Rivers Queens.
Also, Plateau Queens and Yobe Queens played out a goalless draw.(NAN)
VO/OLAL
========
(Edited by Olawale Alabi)