Hyderabad took an early lead in the first quarter and held on to the goal. Credit should go to their young defenders Samir Baxla and Diwakar Ram, who thwarted the repeated raids of the Warriors. They were sure in their tackles and boxed their rivals, excelling with quick and clean clearances. Their Dutch import Oscar ter Weeme was solid in the Hyderabad goal and was instrumental in saving all the three short corners taken by the Maratha Warriors.

Hyderabad Sultans took the lead in the 14th minute as they earned a free hit just outside the circle when the ball hit Warriors’ Dhananjay Mahadik’s leg. Sultans’ skipper Sardar Singh put his brother Didar Singh in possession on the right of the circle and the wily sardar took a shot at the goal. Warriors’ custodian Adrian D’Souza blocked the ball but an alert Johnson Ekka slotted home from handshaking distance near the far post.

Thereafter, Maratha Warriors dominated the proceedings with more ball possession and had a better share of exchanges but found a Himalayan barrier in Samir Baxla and Diwakar Ram in the Hyderabad defence. Both the junior India campers had a field day as they were full of energy denying space to the rival forwards Shivender Singh and Rehan Butt. Rehan, the Pakistan player in the Warriors squad, played brilliantly in the first three matches but could not give his best on the day as he was nursing an injury.

Warriors earned three short corners but did not have a penalty corner specialist. Their Dutch import Loijen Melchior tried his hand and sent three powerful flicks but all were saved by his fellow countryman Oscar ter Weeme in the rival goal.