PNB, IAF book semis spots
Punjab National Bank hammered ASC (Centre) Bangalore 8-1 while Indian Air Force drew with Army XI 2-2 to book their semifinal berths in the 11th Oriental Bank Maharaja Ranjit Singh hockey tournament at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.
With this win, PNB finished second in Pool A behind Indian Navy, who had already qualified for the last four stage on Saturday.
Sukhjeet, the leading scorer from the side with four goals, gave PNB a dominant start as he pumped in two goals within four minutes of play.
Gurjinder (11th, 17th minutes) then took the reins from Sukhjeet and added two goals to consolidate the lead.
Just a minute before half time, ASC Bangalore’s Maheshwar Nag reduced the margin.
After changing ends, Sanjay (42nd) converted a penalty corner for the Bankmen to make it 5-1. Sukhjeet (59th, 62nd) again came into his elements and sounded the board twice in a gap of three minutes before Bhagta (69th) completed the rout for PNB.
Meanwhile, Indian Navy extended their winning run as they defeated Central Secretariat 5-2 to end the pool stage on a high.
Sujit Toppo posted a brace while Mohit Thakur, S.S. Kindo and Amit Goswami scored a goal apiece while Hassan Basha and Felix Baa struck for Central Secretariat.
In Pool B, Damanjit Singh’s brace helped Indian Air Force earn four points to qualify for the semi-finals in a closelyfought encounter.
Veteran midfielder Ignace Tirkey scored off a penalty corner to put Army XI ahead in the 12th minute while Damanjit fetched the equaliser for IAF in the 29th minute.
Army XI took the lead again, when Birak Ekka scored a field goal in the 21st minute before Damanjit’s 66th-minute strike made the difference.
In the final league fixtures on Monday, Air India take on SAI Centre, Kurukshetra, in a match that will determine the fourth semi-finalist.
ASC Bangalore and Central Secretariat will face-off in an inconsequential match.