PSB, Punjab Police to clash in Beighton hockey final

Kolkata, Jan 8 (IANS) Punjab and Sindh Bank and Punjab Police carved out contrasting wins Thursday to set up a final clash at the 113th All India Beighton Cup hockey tournament here.

In semi-final matches played at the Sports Authority of India campus, the bankmen struck early to go past local rivals Punjab Sports Club 2-0, while the policemen surprised last year's losing finalists Indian Oil 5-4 in a photo finish.

PSB went ahead as early as the fourth minute, courtesy a goal from Mandeep Singh. They doubled the lead only five minutes later, as Onkar Singh found the target.

PSB maintained the pressure but failed to increase the margin till the halftime break. The second half also saw no change in the scoreline.

The second semi-final saw Punjab Police open up a solitary goal advantage in the third minute, through Kuljit Singh.

Down 0-1 at the breather, Indian Oil upped the ante in the second session and drew level in the 50th minute as Inderjeet Singh hit home.

The match remained 1-1 at the end of regulation time, and rolled into the tie-breaker as 15 minutes of extra time also failed to break the deadlock.

In penalty strokes, Yugraj Singh, Satvinder Singh, Kuljit Singh and Kanwalpreet Singh converted for Punjab Police, though Gurchand Singh's effort was saved.

For Indian Oil, Hamza Mustafa, Kamlesh Parihar and Inderjeet Singh were successful, but Bikramjeet Singh and Khushmeet missed the mark.

The final will be played Friday.