SAI Lucknow in semi-finals
Local outfits outplay Rail Coach Factory 2-1 in a thriller
LUCKNOW: Sports Authority of India, Lucknow continued their winning streak in the 35th All-India KD Singh ‘Babu’ Hockey Tournament, notching up a thrilling 2-1 win against Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Mumbai, at the Major Dhyanchand Stadium here on Monday. In other quarterfinal of the day, Indian Air Force (IAF), Chandigarh defeated Sports Authority of India (SAI), Bhopal 6-5 in sudden death.
Mumbai men didn’t allow SAI men to dominate the proceedings in the first half of the game. But a change in the ends changed their fortunes. N Jenjen Singh guided a quick hit from the midfielders to goal in the 38th minute (1-0), before Uttam Singh striking the second field goal for the side in the 54th minute from the left flank (2-0).
Even after trailing by 0-2, Mumbai men didn’t lose their hearts and kept trying hard to reduce the margin.
Their efforts paid rich dividends in the 57th minute when Nitin Kumar shot the ball home with an angular hit (1-2).
They could have levelled the score in the remaining 13 minutes as they had some open net chances, but their forwards muffed the opportunities thus losing the thriller in style.
In the second match of the day, Badal put the SAI men ahead with a field goal in the 28th minute (1-0), before Abhay extending the lead a minute before the lemon time, converting a penalty corner (2-0).
A change in the ends turned the table on SAI as Jaspreet first reduced the margin, converting a penalty corner into goal in the in the 36th minute (1-2), whereas Varindar netting a field goal in the 60th minute to restore parity (2-all).
In tie break too, the two teams remained locked 5-all, but in sudden death Harwant shot the ball home in style, ensuring team’s fascinating win.
Now, Air Force will take on Punjab National Bank, Delhi in the first semi-final on Tuesday at 1.00 p.m., before SAI, Lucknow playing against Punjab and Sindh Bank, Jalandhar in the second semifinal at 3.00 p.m.