Wednesday, Apr 24, 2002
Wednesday, Apr 24, 2002 |
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Hockey
By Our Special Correspondent
This contest between two skillful sides was locked 2-2 at full-time, with a depleted, but delightful CISF earning plaudits for fighting back from a two-goal deficit. However, it lost the battle from the penalty spot, converting just two of first four strokes, the fifth was not necessary. Punjab & Sind Bank's consistent, classy play enabled it withstand Bharat Petroleum's challenge in the other quarterfinal, winning 2-1 after being a goal down at the Mahindra stadium, the match littered with frequent stoppages, body challenges, petty fouls as tempers flared with both sides questioning decisions taken by umpire Ranjit Dalvi, including two disallowed goals. PSB stepped up the pace after finding the rivals tiring in the noon heat. The match officials found themselves at the receiving end, with players venting their frustrations. Umpire V.B. Singh's ability to assert himself in the AI vs CISF game, without hindering the flow stood out in stark contrast as spectators got their fill of non-stop action. CISF's ability to open up the AI defence with fast breakaways on the left flank and short passing bouts will not be lost on PSB, which it faces in the semifinals. CISF got three close looks at the AI goal, Mangra Munda's trapping and shooting on the turn forcing rival goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza to pad away, then Parteek took a swipe but did not connect and G.V. Xaxa's attempt to deceive the custodian with a delayed shot did not work. The goals materialised at the other end, the Mumbai team taking the lead in the 34th minute off the third penalty corner. Devinder Kumar's anticipation was so good off an indirect attempt that he had to just put his stick forward for a back pass by Tete to deflect in. AI seized the initiative with the second goal, Kishore Kumar converted a penalty stroke award after skipper Vikram Pillay, on the move with raking strides, was fouled inside the goalmouth. CISF was depleted with Manjit Singh and then Prateek sitting out due to yellow cards, but used individual flair to make up for lack of numbers. Sushil Kumar pierced the AI defence with a fierce diagonal pass in the 59th minute for Xaxa to shield the ball from his marker and sound the boards with a wristy shot. The equaliser came in the 66th minute, Xaxa deflecting a Sushil hit off the fifth penalty corner. AI converted three strokes in the tie-breaker through skipper Pillay, Tarcius Kullu and Surinder Kundu. Tushar Khandekar's try came back off the post, Tete scored the fifth. For CISF, Xaxa and Edmon Kerketta were successful, Ekka scooped wide and Parmvir missed as his team headed for the exit. The PSB-BP match was a tame affair in comparison, of course the heat factor forcing a lot of errors in the second half as tired players took out their frustrations on the match officials. Penalty corner specialist Bishnoi's direct hit off the second penalty corner was so powerful that the ball flew in off the stick of Sanjeev Kumar, who displayed his courage by charging out. PSB's equaliser came after Sharanjit Singh's hit off a rebound was disallowed, umpire Dalvi having already blown for an infringement. The resultant penalty corner was again blocked by BP goalkeeper B.P. Boppanna, but this time Sanjeev Kumar pounced on the rebound. Parminder Singh's deadly touch fetched his side the lead (2-1), the maverick PSB playmaker teaming up with Mandeep Singh to leave the rival defence in a daze with a lightning run down the left flank. The game then went downhill from there. The tournament is sponsored by State Bank of India. There will be no match on Wednesday. Thursday's semifinal line-up: Indian Airlines vs Tata Sports Club; PSB vs AI. The results (quarterfinals): Punjab & Sind Bank 2 (Sanjeev Kumar, Parminder Singh) bt Bharat Petroleum 1 (Saurabh Bishnoi). Air India 6 (Devinder Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Vikram Pillay, Tarcius Kullu, Surinder Kundu, Roshan Tete) bt CISF 4 (G.V. Xaxa 3, Edmon Kerketta, Parmvir) via penalty strokes.
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