Chance to make it to development group

LUCKNOW: It’s time for the players of all eight teams to put their best foot forward to get selected in the development group of the Hockey India for future big events when the knockout matches at the 8th Senior National Men’s Championship, begins Thursday here.

A few might have already been selected in the league phase, but for the remaining ones in the group of 24, selector BP Govinda and HI’s High Performance Director David John would be there to watch them.

The first quarterfinal of the day is a repeat of last year’s final as defending champions Railways take on last year’s runners Punjab and Sindh Bank at the Padmashree Mohd Shahid Hockey Stadium at 8.00 in the morning.

In comparison to Railways, who won all their four matches in league phase, PSB will have their task cut-out as they could win just two, besides drawing the other two in pool stage.

The tie is expected to be an exciting one as in the final last year, Railways had 3-0 win against the PSB but only in penalty shootout with the scores being tied at 1-1 after regulation time.

However, PSB will hope that their Indian international midfielder Satbir Singh can help his team in overcoming the tough challenge.

Studded with some of the Core Group players, who haven’t picked up for the CWG at Gold Cost, Comptroller and Auditor General of India would be up against Hockey Punjab.

Both the teams finished their respective pool matches with identical figures as they accumulated two wins and two draws to take their tally to eight points. Certainly, CAG will look to keep their defensive shape intact as they have only conceded six goals in the competition so far, while Hockey Punjab will try their best to break the defensive wall and score early in the match, adding to their tally of 13 goals so far in the campaign.

The second session on Thursday, which begins at 2.00, would witness Pool B toppers and favourites Air India facing Pool A runners-up Hockey Odisha in a well-matched contest.

The latter have had failed to reach the quarterfinals last year, but are looking to make amends this year with their fine form, winning three out of their four pool matches, losing once to defending champions Railways.

Whereas, Air India lost to eventual finalists Punjab and Sind Bank in quarterfinals last year, but with three wins and a draw in this year’s campaign, they look set to better their record.

The fourth and final quarterfinal will see promoted side starstudded PSPB take on last year’s semi-finalists Hockey Chandigarh. It has been a high-flying campaign for PSPB as they have reached the quarterfinals in their first season after winning promotion by winning last year’s nationals (B Division).

The team consisting of experienced players like skipper Tushar Khandker, VR Raghunath, Birendra Lakra, Talwinder Singh and Devinder Walmiki, will look to defeat Pool D’s runners-up Hockey Chandigarh as the latter only accumulated seven points, winning two, drawing one and losing one of their four matches.

FIXTURES

RSPB vs PSB at 8.00 a.m; CAG vs Hockey Punjab at 10.00 a.m.; Air India vs Hockey Odisha at 2.00 p.m.; PSPB vs Hockey Chandigarh at 4.00 p.m.