The Hindu : Punjab braves past Haryana into final

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 24, 2002

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Sport - Hockey

Punjab braves past Haryana into final

By Kirti Patil

JALANDHAR MARCH 23 . Sentimental favourite Punjab braved its way into the final, beating the National Games champion, Haryana, 2-1 through golden goal, in the 51st Women's National hockey championship here on Saturday.

Punjab will take on the 17-time champion, Railways, which dictated the terms to Mumbai and won 4-0, in the first semifinal at the Olympian Surjit Stadium, in Burlton Park.

Insofar the best match on view in this tournament, full-back Renu Bala scored both the goals through penalty corner conversions, leaving Haryana crestfallen. It was the just reward for Renu, who had helped Punjab level the score-line.

Punjab played positively in the extra-time, which was necessitated, as both the teams were square at 1-1 after the regulation time. As the reality dawned on Haryana, it made several desperate attempts, all ending without much gains.

Haryana had wasted seven penalty corners in the normal time. It continued its sloppy work into the extra-time after having earned two. Punjab, however, made no such mistakes. With just one minute remaining, Punjab earned a penalty corner when striker Mohan Davinder Kaur was wrongly tackled by Gagandeep Kaur.

It had been seven years since Punjab had been in the final. In the previous Nationals, in Jabalpur, Punjab had gone down to Haryana by a solitary goal, at the same stage.

Nothing was to be left to the chance. Punjab had two scores to settle against Haryana — first the loss in Jabalpur and second, a 2-4 semifinal defeat in the November 2001 National Games, in Ludhiana.

With so much at stake, Punjab lived up to the expectations. Renu struck hard after the stopper had done a neat job. The ball rose a bit after being deflected by a defenders stick, but still found the net, sparking jubilation all around.

For the 10-time champion Punjab, which lost its grip over the game ever since Railways was allowed to participate, it will be its 25th appearance in the summit clash.

Earlier, Punjab started with a handicap when its star forward Roohi Dhillon was not allowed to take the field. Roohi, who scored five goals in a row against Delhi, was left on the bench when Haryana made an official protest about her domicile.

A resident of Chandigarh, Roohi has been playing for Punjab for two years. In the North Zone qualifying tournament for this Nationals, Roohi even played against Chandigarh and the Union Territory did not object.

However, since Punjab was unable to produce a `No Objection Certificate' from Chandigarh, the Technical Director, Ms. Sudarshan Pathak, ruled in favour of Haryana. But, Haryana's downfall was its own making. A heady cocktail of arrogance and overconfidence spoiled its day.

Haryana, the last year's runner-up, went 1-0 up when striker Balwinder Kaur chanced upon the opportunity set up by Jasjeet Kaur and Kamala. Though Haryana took an early lead — the match was only into the fifth minute — Punjab defenders warded off any further inroads into their territory.

Desperation was writ large on the faces of Haryana strikers as they failed to capitalise on several good moves. Kamala, in particular, got several chances but just could not connect.

Punjab, on the other hand, dared Haryana with brisk counter-attacks. Mohan Davinder, Rajwinder and Mukta Xalco kept Haryana defenders busy. The equaliser was, however, hard to come by.

On changing ends, a similar story continued. But when Punjab earned its second penalty corner of the match, the tale took an different turn. Still 20 minutes remained in the match and both the teams tried in vain for the winner. In extra-time though, Punjab found the golden goal.

No nonsense game

Railways, meanwhile, played a no nonsense game against Mumbai. Railways had the luxury of six international strikers and it used the rolling substitution rule to the optimum.

Starting with an impressive line-up in Jyoti Sunita Kullu, Pritam Rani Siwach, Sanggai Chanu and Surinder Kaur, Railways showed that it still was invincible.

Mumbai made it first mistake when Fatima Kujur wrongly intercepted Sita Gussain inside the 25-yard line. Sita took a free hit and Surinder Kaur deflected the ball into the goal. Despite having struggled against Orissa on Friday, Mumbai looked an improved side as the teams took the breather with score 1-0 in favour of Railways.

Railways had several plans up its sleeves with captain Manjinder Kaur playing a perfect role of the playmaker. On her pass to Surinder in the 48th minute, Railways scored one of the best goal, so far in the tournament.

Surinder and Pritam exchanged the ball thrice before entering the scoring area and on being crowded, the ball was passed to a waiting Mamta, who made no mistake. Two more goals came, both through Jyoti's stick as Railways left Mumbai spellbound.

The results (semifinals): Railways 4 (Jyoti Sunita Kullu 2, Mamta Kharab, Surinder Kaur) bt Mumbai 0; Punjab 2 (Renu Bala 2) bt Haryana 1 (Balwinder Kaur).

Sunday's fixture: Third place match: Haryana v Mumbai; Final: Railways v Punjab.

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