Dynamos 4…………………………Lions 2

Cavaliers 2…………………………Falcons 0

KARACHI, Sept 12: Two-goal Shahid Rabbani and a brilliant penalty stroke save by goalkeeper Amanullah fired Capital Dynamos to a deserved 4-2 victory over Baloch Lions to secure first points in the Super Hockey League on Monday.

While Lions were roaring against their opponents in earlier encounters, they seemed to be caged against spirited Dynamos from the first whistle.

Dynamos got off to a whirlwind start when Atiqur Rahman was on target on a penalty corner off a defender stick with the game barely three minutes old.

Before the Lions could recover from the early setback, underdogs Dynamos stunned their opposition two minutes later when an unmarked Player-of-the-Match Shahid anticipating at the goalmouth slotted home a free hit from right to make it 2-0.

Indian goalkeeper Adrian D’ Souza representing Lions denied his countryman Gagan Ajit Singh when the latter threatened with an effort from the top of the circle.

While the Lions were still licking their wounds, Dyanmos continued to dominate, pressing for the third in the 21st minute but Shahid’s pass was wasted by Rizwan Butt.

Gagan exchanged hot words with Lions players after a rough tackle following which Adnan Hamid was shown a green card.

But Lions were hapless against the continuing Dynamos assaults that resulted in the third goal, Ishtiaq Ahmad’s defence-splitting hit sounding the backboards seconds before the end of second quarter.

Returning after lemons, both sides stepped up pressure and the ferocity of their attacks could be judged from the numbers of penalty corners they earned in the match.

While Dynamos were awarded eight short corners, Lions sorely missed their injured penalty corner striker Imran Warsi as they got 13 but could convert only two.

Imran Khan’s effort that hit Dynamos goalkeeper Amanullah instead of target in the 39th minute was the only serious move in the third quarter.

Lions eventually reduced the margin when Zakirullah connected a Shabbir Ahmad hit on a ninth short corner in the 56th minute.

While D’ Souza kept Mudassir Ali Khan’s indirect try at bay in the 59th minute, the Indian was beaten a minute later when a Shahid scoop went over the goalie for fourth goal.

Lions should have got their second goal with Amanullah producing a dazzling save on a Zakirullah penalty stroke in the 61st minute.

Three minutes later Zakirullah compensated when he found the target on the 10th penalty corner on a Shabbir hit for Lions second goal.

Northern Cavaliers defeated Frontier Falcons 2-0 in the second match.

Cavaliers, who are now tied with Sindh Qalandars at second spot with six points, opened their account through Mohammad Imran penalty corner strike in the 18th minute, while Indian Arjun Halappa netted the second in the 46th minute.

Kashif wasted a penalty stroke for Falcons a minute before time.

Tuesday’s fixtures: Shan-e-Punjab v Capital Dynamos 6.30pm; Sindh Qalandars v Northern Cavaliers 9.30pm.