UP to take on Shahbad in hockey final again
LUCKNOW: For the second consecutive year, hosts and defending champions Uttar Pradesh will take on last year’s runners-up Shahbad in the final of the 29th All-India KD Singh ‘Babu’ subjunior boys hockey tournament, at the Padamshree Mohd Shahid hockey stadium here on Monday.
In the semi-finals on Sunday, Uttar Pradesh defeated Mohali 8-0 after leading by 3-0 in a onesided encounter, whereas Shahbad had to face some resistance from Cheema Academy before winning the encounter by 3-0.
As expected UP boys dominated the proceedings from the very start on a shiny but chilly day. Ball possession, tackling and even passing were outstanding as Mohali boys looked almost begging for the ball during the 60-minute duel.
With Shahrukh Ali opening the account in the very fifth minute, there was no looking back for others in the team. Captain Rajbhar struck the next one in the 10th minute, and thereafter Alok Mishra, Ajit Yadav and Aqib Raini striking two goals each.
Unlike the UP-Mohali tie, Cheema Academy boys came up with some good defence in the beginning, denying winners at least two certain goal scoring opportunities. Ansh Kamboj drew the first blood in the 13th minute (1-0), but thereafter the side had to wait long for the next one.
It came only after a change in the ends when Abhishek converted a penalty corner into goal in the 47th minute (2-0), before Manan Pal rounding off the tally with a field goal in the 51st minute. Despite trailing by three goals, Cheema Academy didn’t lose their heart and kept trying hard, but to no avail.
Final starts at 2.30 p.m. on Monday, but before that Mohali will take on Cheema Academy in the hard-line match at 12.30 p.m.
CHAIRMAN XI WIN
Chairman XI scored a comprehensive eight-wicket win against MD XI in the annual UPSRTC cricket match, at the Colvin College ground here on Sunday. BRIEF SCORES MD XI 93 for 5 in 20 overs (P Guru Prasad 42, Parvez 17, Gurmeet Singh 2 for 5, Alam 2 for 9) lost to Chairman XI 94 for 2 in 17.1 overs (Mateen Ahmed 27, Yogendra Seth 18).