Lakra's 'golden goal' sinks PSB

By Our Hockey Correspondent

Railways 2 -- Air India 1

IHF Juniors 4 -- PSB 3

CHENNAI, AUG. 24. An amalgam of craft, charm and consistency contributed to a dramatic win for IHF Juniors, which profited from a penalty stroke golden goal by Bimal Lakra, to enter the final of the Madras Cricket Club-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here this evening. That the IHF Juniors conquered a combination as a strong as Punjab and Sind Bank, the defending champion here, is a noteworthy point for a squad preparing for the next World Junior Cup at Tasmania.

The IHF Juniors will take on Indian Railways in the final tomorrow. The latter prevailed over Air India by the odd goal in three.

Bimal Lakra could not have finished the day with greater encomiums than by converting the stroke, which was the winner when the teams entered the extra-time mode after sharing six goals alike. What looked a 3-2 win for IHF Juniors till 20 seconds before the hooter came to nought when Yudhbir Singh slotted the equaliser from a goal-mouth scrimmage. But the IHF Juniors showed the gumption to regain the initiative.

Deepak Thakur, who had a splendid game, with two goals to his credit, created that brilliant moment for his team with a pacy run beating a host of defenders. Near the 25 yard line, Deepak parted the ball to Tejbir Singh who was obstructed by Rajinder and Sharanjit. Umpire Kanakaraj showed the spot, despite protestations by the PSB players, and amidst excitement, Bimal Lakra flicked in the all important goal.

If temperament is the essence to meet the situations in a high profile contest, Punjab and Sind Bank showed it in adequate measure. There was no flurry nor any sign of nerve in whatever the team led admirably again in the attack by Parminder Singh showed. He seized the chances avidly, and displayed enthusiasm in creating them, with everyone throwing his weight. Parminder Singh had an able ally in the veteran Sanjiv Kumar and a fluent distributor of the ball in Sandeep Ghuman. The combination played hovoc with the IHF Juniors and never gave up the fight as the third goal, 20 seconds before the hooter, would testify.

An early lead - minute to be precise - inspired the Punjab and Sind Bank. A penalty corner push by Ghuman was saved by goal- keeper Devesh Chauhan. But Sanjiv Kumar, the opportunist that he is, picked up the rebound and sounded the boards. The lead however, proved evanescent as IHF Juniors hit back through a brilliant goal by Ignacious Tirkey. A backhander from the 25-yard line left the defence nonplussed as the goal-keeper Teja Singh for the equaliser.

Undaunted, PSB strengthened the system in the attack. Midway through, Rajwinder Singh put the team ahead with a splendid effort, running forward to meet a pass from Ghuman and deflecting it into the goal amidst vociferous cheers.

Progressively, the IHF Juniors enhanced pressure. Predictably, Arjun Halappa troubled the defence with his quick moves and smashing shots. Equally energetic was Deepak Thakur who formed a good partnership with Ignacious Tirkey, whose long range shots sent waves of excitement among the spectators. A peach of a goal by Deepak Thakur from an aerial pass provided by Jugraj Singh brought in the equaliser. A word of praise here for the calm assurance with which Bimal Lakra played throughout cannot be construed as an exaggeration.

Thereafter the contests intensified into an absorbing struggle. No quarter was given and none asked for. It was IHF Juniors that courted success when 10 minutes remained from the hooter. Deepak Thakur scored again demonstrating his proficiency in the ring from a long corner work out. PSB came back into the match about 20 seconds from the hooter. A scrimmage for the ball inside the IHF circle culminated in Yudhbir Singh tapping the ball.

Railways in control

Pumping up power and punch in the second half, Railways, despite flunking a penalty stroke, controlled the trend throughout to take the verdict and deserved it without any question. Chander Pal, whose frontline sallies carried an element of danger everytime, darted in deftly only to be stickchecked by Aldrin. Umpire Satinder Sharma showed the spot. But Jagmoham Singh's hurried flick missed the mark. Chander Pal had excellent support from Iqbal Singh and B.Singh. Some of the crafty passes by Iqbal and B.Singh caught the rival defence in sixes and sevens. It was B.Singh who hoisted the lead from a pass by Iqbal Singh early in the second half. If Jagmohan had made good use of the stroke, Railway would have reached a far more comfortable position.

Actually, it was Air India that hit in the first goal, somewhat against the run of play, in the second half. Rajesh Chauhan paved the way with a quick run but was baulked by goal- keeper Alex David. There was momentary lapse to clear the ball away, and Railways paid a heavy price for this error. Roshan Tate picked up and scored.

Even as one began to visualise the match moving into extra-time phase came the match winner for Railways. It surfaced from a penalty corner. Anup Tirkey had the honour of hitting in. The first shot was stopped by goal-keeper Kamaldeep Singh, but Tirkey managed to wrest the ball again and produce a wristy drive into the net.

Doordarshan will telecast the final on the national network starting 3 p.m.

Saturday: Final: IHF Juniors v Indian Railways, 3 p.m.

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