Bengal makes the grade

CALCUTTA, NOV. 30. Indian Airlines and Bengal qualified for the main round of the winning their respective Pool E league matches of the 60th National hockey championship which concluded at the Kuman Lampak astro-turf hockey stadium at Imphal (Manipur) on Thursday, according to information reaching here.

Indian Airlines thrashed host Manipur 8-0 to keep an all-win record intact and top the table with full 15 pints while, Bengal, which had lost against the airlines team earlier, drubbed Assam 12-0 to ensure the second spot with 12 points from four wins and a loss.

Manipur had to be content with the third spot with nine points from three wins and two loss while Orissa, which beat Nagaland 3- 0 in an inconsequential match, collected six points for the fourth spot. Nagaland (3) and Assam (0), thrashed by all, completed the list.

Indian Airlines had already qualified for the main round winning its fourth straight match on Wednesday as it beat Nagaland 3-0 but the big win against the host team today ensured it top slot in the league table. Bengal brightened its chances beating Manipur 4-1 on Wednesday and ensured itself the runner-up slot beating the weakest team in the Pool - Assam - today. Assam thus conceded 38 goals without a reply in the qualifying league.

In the matches played today, the airlines team warmed up for its bigger battles in the future making the host a mere spectator of its attacking game. Olympian Sameer Dad began the scoring in the third minute. Lazarus Barla enhanced the lead in the 17th minute before Promodh Lakra availed a penalty-stroke in the 32nd minute. Barla got the better of the Manipur defence again in the 34th minute capping a nice move as the airmen went into the second session with a 4-0 scoreline.

The second session saw Dad getting another early goal (38th minute) and was followed by Len Ayappa who converted a penalty corner. Virender Singh completed the final act with goals in the 64th and 68th minutes to complete the tally for his team.

Contributing in the Bengal's thrashing of Assam was Kumar Bharat who scored the highest three goals for his team. Kishore Kujur, Rajat Minz and Atal Tirkey scored a brace each while Jonas Bara, Paulus Soy and Athar Immam scored one apiece to complete the tally.

In the other match Orissa floored Nagaland as William scored twice and Anil Kumar once to give their the second win of the tournament.

The Pool E table:

Indian Airlines: 5-5-0-0-32-0-15, Bengal: 5-4-0-1-23-3-12, Manipur: 5-3-0-2-20-13-9, Orissa: 5-2-0-3-10-11-6, Nagaland 5-1-0-4-3-13-3, Assam: 5-0-0-5-0-38-0. (Tabulated as under: Played, won, drawn, lost, goals in favour, goals against, points).

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