PSB enters semifinals

By Our Special Correspondent

KOLKATA, APRIL 5. Favourite Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) entered the semifinals of the Indian Oil Servo 106th Beighton Cup hockey tournament defeating Bangladesh XI 3-0 at the CC&FC ground here on Thursday. Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) inched closer to the knockout stage with a hard-earned 2-1 win over Sports Authority of India (SAI) at the Mohun Bagan ground.

The defeat put Bangladesh in a tight situation and it needs to win the last league match against CESC on Friday. CESC, which lost 0-4 to PSB, needs at least a draw on the morrow to advance. Bangladesh, one point from two matches, however, would have to beat CESC to make it to the semifinals.

At the end of two matches, PSB lead with six points, CESC was second with three points and Bangladesh and SAI were at the bottom with one point each.

The game between PSB and Bangladesh was decided in the first 20 minutes with PSB striking twice to take an unassailable lead. The team from across the border, not used to playing on natural grass, went into arrears in the fourth minute when international Baljeet Singh Saini scored off a melee. The second goal too came through the stick of Saini off a Parminder Singh pass. Bangladesh, fielding five under-18 boys and as many under-21 players who formed the bulk of the National team that finished fifth at the recently concluded Prime Minister's Gold Cup at Dhaka, failed to combine well in the first half.

Better planning and coordination helped Bangladesh see more of the ball and initiating a number of good moves. After the pep talk by its German coach, the wingers came into play. The experienced PSB defence, however, weathered the threats easily and one of its counter moves produced the third goal.

An alert Bangladesh defence could have thwarted the goal as Saini's hit was allowed to travel near the post. Parminder Singh trapped the ball and flicked home. Apart from Saini and Parminder, captain Baljeet Singh Chandi put up a sterling display.

CESC dominated the match against SAI and went ahead with an Anil Ekka strike following a penalty corner in the 11th minute. The younger and faster SAI boys lacked the sharpness in the striking zone to cause much worry to an experienced CESC defence. The winner got its second goal in the 37th minute through Sunil Soren.

SAI rallied to pull one back in the 48th minute through Atul Tirkey hit from the top of the circle but the equaliser eluded the SAI team till the end.

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Section  : Sport
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