Semifinalists' spotted in Ranjit Singh hockey

Bharat Petroleum and Army XI completed the semi-final line-up after registering contrasting victories over their respective opponents Punjab National Bank and Punjab & Sind Bank in the fourth edition of the Oriental bank Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hockey tournament played at the Shivaji Stadium here on Monday.

Bharat Petroleum blanked Punjab National Bank 2-0 while Army XI down with two goals came form behind to earn a hard fought 3-1 win over Punjab & Sind Bank via tie-breaker after levelling 2-2 in the regulation period.

•   E-mail Article
•   Printer Friendly
•   Text-Size    

In the first match of the day, Bharat Petroleum slotted in two rapid goals after a barren first half to seal the fate of the opponents who gave some hard time to the Petroleum team initially.

Pundlik Bellary put Bharat Petroleum ahead by scoring in the 48th minute. Former international Sabu Varkey doubled the lead in the 52nd minute to make it 2-0.

The second match saw some keen contest as Army XI players kept their cool to level the match in regulation period and then pulled off a victory against PSB. In the tie-breaker, Eliazer Lakra, Anil Kumar Ekka and Chittranjan Singh converted for Army XI while Mandeep Singh was the lone PSB scorer.

PSB’s Baljit Singh Saini, Onkar Singh, Kulwinder Singh and Rajwinder Singh missed their strokes in the decisive tie-breaker.

Earlier, Tassavarjit Singh put PSB ahead in the 35th minute and Kulwinder Singh doubled the lead in the 44th minute in the regulation time while Eliazer Lakra reduced the margin in the 53rd minute for the Armymen. D Mahadik restored parity for Army XI in the 57th minute to level the terms.