Hyderabad Sultans

Infobox Field Hockey club
clubname = Hyderabad Sultans
current = Hyderabad Sultans season 2008


fullname = Hyderabad Sultans
short name = Sultans
founded = 2005
ground = Gachibowli Hockey Stadium Hyderabad India
capacity = 8,000
manager = flagicon|IND P.Kanthaiah
captain = flagicon|IND Sardara Singh
head coach = flagicon|IND Madhukaran
league = Premier Hockey League
season = 2007–08
position = Premier Hockey League 3rd
Best Season = 2005 - Champions
pattern_la1= _whiteshoulders|pattern_b1=|pattern_ra1=_whiteshoulders
leftarm1 = 0000FF|body1=0000FF|rightarm1=0000FF|shorts1=0000FF|socks1=FFFFFF
pattern_la2= _whiteshoulders|pattern_b2=|pattern_ra2=_whiteshoulders
leftarm2 = 0000FF|body2=0000FF|rightarm2=0000FF|shorts2=0000FF|socks2=FFFFFF

The Hyderabad Sultans is the Premier Hockey League team from Hyderabad of royal lineage, mixing tradition with modernity, they are the progressive nawabs. The squad is captained by Sardara Singh since 2007-08 edition. They were winners of first Premier Hockey League in 2005 [ [http://www.rediff.com/sports/2005/feb/13phl.htm Hyderabad Sultans win PHL] ] .

History

Founding

The club was formed on the back grounds of inaugural Premier Hockey League in year 2005. It started of with many host of hockey superstars from India and Pakistan. Sultans, led by ever-dependable Dilip Tirkey , were crowned the champions of the inaugural PHL at home [ [http://www.rediff.com/sports/2005/feb/13phl.htm Hyderabad Sultans win PHL] ] . At the sprawling Gachibowli sports complex , Sultans came out as a surprise packet. Dilip Tirkey was at his best along with penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas who helped the team score crucial wins with their combined moves in the first year. Sohail Abbas, along with Len Aiyappa of Hi-Fliers, became the joint top-scorers of the league [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7014417 Sohail Abbas becomes joint top scorer of league] ] [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7014417 PHL 1 - 2005 Season Review] ] .

Loss of form and Players Exodus (2006-2007)

In the second year too, Hyderabad Sultans played well and were in contention for the final berth even playing without star performers of 2005, Sohail Abbas who left the team in 2006 but were edged out by Bangalore Lions on goal average. They won five out of the eight matches and had 13 points, just one less than the table toppers Chandigarh Dynamos and so Hyderabad Sultans finished third in league [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7014505 PHL 2 - 2006 Season Review] ] . In the third year, Hyderabad Sultans failed miserably winning just one match in the new format. They also lost their skipper Dilip Tirkey and many experienced players who joined Orissa Steelers as they were promoted to the Premier Division. Sultans ended at the bottom of table that season avoiding relegation as second division was scrapped [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7014507 PHL 3 - 2007 Season Review] ] .

Current (2008-present)

In the season of 2008 young Sardara Singh led the team. Saradara Singh along with his brother Didar Singh were the only experienced stars in the team but it had talented youngsters in Bikas Toppo and Pawal Lakra, who were capable of making inroads into any defence. They also depended on how K.M.Chengappa and Nitin Kumar help their forwards Didar Singh and Sardara Singh. The team had an emerging drag-flicker in Diwakar Ram, who carried the team's burden during the short corners. The player to watch out were upcoming Promod Kumar, who was the fulcrum of the team.
Adnan Maqsood and Kamran Ahmed were the foreign players along with Dutch goalkeeper Oscar Ter Weeme. The team also had a new coach in Madhukaran who was assisted by Alphonse Lazarus and they finished their campiange by finishing fourth in league, qualifying for play-off where they lost to Chandigarh Dynamos [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/phl_teams.jsp PHL 4 Sultans Team] ] [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/phl_standings.jsp PHL 4 League Standing] ] [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/phl_results.jsp PHL 4 Match Results] ] .

Gachibowli Hockey Stadium

Gachibowli Hockey Stadium is a field hockey stadium at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the home of the Hyderabad Sultans of the Premier Hockey League. It has a seating capacity of 8,000 people.

Hyderabad Sultans Season By Season Performance

[ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7014417 PHL 1 - 2005 Season Review] ] [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7014505 PHL 2 - 2006 Season Review] ] [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7014507 PHL 3 - 2007 Season Review] ] [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/phl_standings.jsp PHL 4 League Standing] ]

International Players

[ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7014417 PHL 1 - 2005 Season Review] ] [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7014505 PHL 2 - 2006 Season Review] ] [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7014507 PHL 3 - 2007 Season Review] ] [ [http://www.premierhockeyleague.com/phl/phl_teams.jsp PHL 4 - 2008 Season Sultans Team] ]

Honours

* Premier Hockey League Titles: 1
** 2005 [ [http://www.rediff.com/sports/2005/feb/13phl.htm Hyderabad Sultans win PHL] ]

ee also

* Premier Hockey League

References