Premier Handball League 2023: Table Toppers Maharashtra Ironmen pound Golden Eagles UP, Rajasthan Patriots thump Delhi Panzers

The Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh came out for the second half determined to give Maharashtra a run for their money.

Match 23: Golden Eagles UP vs Maharashtra Ironmen

Maharashtra Ironmen held on to secure victory over the Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh in a thrilling game of Premier Handball League 2023 that ended 27-28 in favour of the Ironmen. The dramatic game took place inside a packed Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur.

Maharashtra Ironmen who have already qualified for the semi-finals for the inaugural Premier Handball League season took on bottom-placed Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh in Match 23. The Golden Eagles started the game swiftly as Harjinder Singh and Sukhveer Singh Brar got into their attacking groove quickly.

Omid Reza of Uttar Pradesh also made some amazing saves in the initial stages of the match as his team took a slender lead. The Ironmen made sure that Golden Eagles' lead did not last for too long as Chiseliov, Manjeet and Sumit Ghanghas scored in quick succession to bring their team back into the game. Halfway through the first period, the scores read 6-7 in favour of Maharashtra.

From there on the Ironmen were going about the game in typical fashion as their lethal attack saw them take the lead despite the best efforts of Omid Reza in the Golden Eagles goal. Despite the Ironmen’s dominance, they were unable to establish a healthy lead thanks to Harjinder Singh and Sukhveer Singh Brar, whose goals made sure that Ironmen were not able to establish an unassailable lead. Soon after the first half came to an end as the scores read 13-15 in favour of the Maharashtra Ironmen.

The Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh came out for the second half determined to give Maharashtra a run for their money. Maharashtra although went about the second half much like the first half as Chiseliov, Manjeet, Sumit Kumar, Mohit Punia and Sumit Ghanghas were able to find the back of the net consistently which saw the Ironmen extend their lead and take control of the game. By the 45th-minute mark, the scores read 18-22 in favour of the Ironmen.

In spite of the best efforts of the Golden Eagles’ Harjinder Singh, Mankesh and Vansh Thakran they were floundering to find a way back into the game. However, goals from Jyotiram Bhushan Shinde and Mahesh Ugile saw the Golden Eagles mount a late comeback but it was too little too late. Maharashtra on the other hand were able to score with every attack they constructed which allowed them to hold on to their slender lead until the final whistle. Soon after the game ended 27-28 in favour of the Maharashtra Ironmen.

Igor Chiseliov was the top scorer for the Maharashtra Ironmen in the game with 8 goals, while Harjinder Singh was the top scorer for the Golden Eagles with 8 goals also. Igor Chiseliov picked up another most valuable player of the match award for his all-round attacking performance in the game.

Match 24: Delhi Panzers vs Rajasthan Patriots

Rajasthan Patriots secured a classy victory over the Delhi Panzers in a game that ended 35-30 in their favour. The Patriots put in a resolute performance in defence and an explosive performance in attack to claim the victory.  

The Rajasthan Patriots alongside the Telugu Talons and Maharashtra Ironmen had already secured a spot in the semi-finals as they were getting ready to take on the Delhi Panzers. The Panzers on the other hand needed a win to clinch a spot in the semi-finals.

The Delhi Panzers started the game on the front foot as Jasmeet Singh was in lethal form. His goals in the opening minutes of the game saw his team take the lead early on in the game. Nevertheless, Arjun Lakra came to life soon after as he single handedly dragged his team back into the game with some acrobatic finishing. By the 15th minute mark, the scores were level at 6 all as Jasmeet and Arjun were shining for their respective teams in the opening minutes. 

Rajasthan Patriots slowly took control of the game from there on. Sumit and Mohit Ghanghas started supporting Arjun going forward. In defence Atul Kumar was doing his bit as he made some excellent saves and was marshalling his defence superbly as they were giving very little time and space to the Delhi players in possession. This allowed the Patriots to extend their lead as by halftime the scores read 16-13 in favour of the Patriots.   

The Panzers looked for a swift start to the second half as they were looking to cut short the deficit. Bhupender Ghanghas who was kept relatively quiet in the first period found his finishing touch in the second half. He was seeing more of the ball on the wings and was able to score more consistently. However, the trio of Mohit Ghanghas, Sumit and Arjun Lakra were highly effective in attack as they helped their team to maintain their lead.  

Elmuratov Sardor in the Delhi Panzers goal was trying his level best to make sure his team stays in the game, but Delhi was floundering to exploit the gaps in the Rajasthan Patriots’ defence while attacking. Halfway through the second half the scores read 25-22 in favour of the Rajasthan Patriots. Both teams were exchanging blows constantly going into the last 10 minutes of the game and Delhi were struggling to bridge the gap.

Rajasthan looked in complete control of the game and were managing to stay ahead of the Panzers. In the hopes to put the game to bed Dmitry Kireev, Hardev Singh and Happy Singh of the Patriots helped their team extend their lead. The Panzers looked deflated as the game came to a close, the scores read 35-30 in favour of the Rajasthan Patriots.  

Bhupender Ghanghas was the top scorer for the Delhi Panzers in the encounter with 8 goals, while Arjun Lakra was the top scorer for the Rajasthan Patriots with 8 goals also. Dmitry Kireev was awarded the most valuable player of the match for his dominant display in attack.