SAIL XI manages to hold Combined Universities

NEW DELHI, NOV. 12. Satwinder Singh (Sr.)'s penalty stroke conversion in the closing stages enabled SAIL XI manage a 3-3 draw against Combined Universities in the ONGC-Nehru hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium here on Monday.

Down 2-3, SAIL managed to wriggle itself out of the precarious situation through Amolak Singh's last minute effort.

The right-winger succeeded is connecting a powerful cross amidst a packed defence and it resulted in a stroke with the University side's defender Sandeep Kumar stopping the ball with his foot in an effort to make a goalline save.

Satwinder made no mistake in putting it past goalkeeper Amritpal Singh.

In the final analysis, Combined University paid dearly for missing out on a stroke to make it 3-1. Kuldeep Singh messed up the chance in the 36th minute.

The way Combined University stuck to its task with neat interceptions by its defenders, Gurpreet Singh and Rajesh Kumar, till the half-time, it looked on its way for a win in the opening encounter in pool IV.

It took a 2-0 lead as Tejinder Singh and Rizwan Ali, who tapped in a long pass before getting past goalkeeper Sapan Sharma, capitalised on few chances which came their way.

SAIL was fortunate to make it 1-2 before the breather when Harnek Singh barely managed to steer in a fine pass from Harmanpreet Singh.

On resumption, Combined University wasted a stroke before SAIL made it 2-2. Ravi Pal Singh found the mark from outside the `D'. The University side not only managed to avert three penalty corner attempts by SAIL but also surged ahead in the 63rd minute.

The lead resulted from Ravinder Singh's fine volley after a full- stretched goalkeeper Sapan Sharma failed to clear an attempt from the right flank.

Just when SAIL was heading towards a loss, a fine move by Amolak Singh garnered crucial point for his side.

In the next match in the same group, IHF Juniors will meet SAIL XI on Tuesday.

Navy trounces Jharkhand XI

In a pool V match, Ahsan-ul Haque and Rajan Lakra scored three goals each in Indian Navy's 7-3 win over Jharkhand XI. Navy, which led 3-2 at the breather, converted one out of four penalty corners through a direct hit by Pradeep Kulu. For Jharkhand, Arvind Kumar, Roylen Bhengara and Rajesh Dang chipped in with a goal each.

The third side in the same pool, Punjab Police will meet Jharkhand on Wednesday.

Chandigarh's Rock Rovers defeated Indian Air Force, 4- 1 in pool VI. S. Kiru (2), Navdeep Singh and Gurpreet Singh contributed for the winner.

Pradeep Singh was the lone scorer for Indian Air Force. Rock Rovers will play Border Security Force in its last league match on Tuesday.

In an inconsequential match in pool I, Sikh Regimental Centre and CRPF played out a 1-1 draw.

Mukesh Kumar scored for CRPF before Vinay Kumar equalised for SRC.

- Our Sports Reporter

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