Sport - Hockey

Indian Airlines edges out CRPF

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI MAY 13. An experimental Indian Airlines team negotiated a major hurdle in the 100th Aga Khan hockey tournament (sponsored by Bharat Petroleum) on Monday, edging out Central Reserve Police Force 1-0 in the second quarterfinal league match for both Pool B teams.

The former plays Bharat Petroleum in the concluding league fixture, a known opponent struggling to get the act together, as was evident in a 1-1 draw with Oil & Natural Gas Commission earlier on another day of extreme humidity at the Bombay Gymkhana.

Indian Airlines, fielding many new faces to make up for the absence of regulars, five attending the national camp and others injured or not available due to other reasons, struggled to find holes in the CRPF defence before hard-working playmaker Y.S. Rawat broke through in the 60th minute, sounding the boards with a snap shot off a free-hit. Then youngster Girish Pimpale went out with a yellow card, leaving the team with a player short as the rivals expectedly went on the offensive.

The hooter sounded but the IA bench had to restrain celebrations, because a penalty corner had already been signalled before full-time. Fortunately, battle-scarred seniors Sanjay Bisht and in-form goalkeeper Jagdish Ponappa, did not panic. The second consecutive time IA have had to face pressure after the final whistle. In the previous match against ONGC, a reflex save by the goalkeeper had ensured a sharing of points. This time, the outcome was sweeter, three points and a temporary rise to the top of Pool B.

Pimpale was the second yellow card offender in this slow-paced match. CRPF's reliable defender Tanveer Jamal getting temporary suspension orders, apart from one other green card holder on either side. Neither of the four players punished showed any petulance at the decision, a pointer to the respect umpires Shakeel Ahmed and Blaise Monteiro commanded with their unobtrusive, yet firm handling.

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