Date:13/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/13/stories/2005081305962000.htm

Sport - Hockey

TNSP stages sensational recovery

Kovilpatti: Tamil Nadu Special Police, down by two goals with just six minutes to go for the final whistle, made a spectacular rally and slammed home three goals in the space of five minutes to beat Thirunagar HC (Madurai) and enter the semifinals of the State-level hockey tournament, conducted by Nethaji Hockey Club, here on Friday.

Rajesh Kannan (20th minute) and Sathyaseelan (30th) scored for Thirunagar which led 2-0 at half-time. In the second session, TNSP put Thirunagar under heavy pressure. Selvam scored in the 64th minute and Muthupandy added two more in the 68th and 69th minutes to give his side a sensational win.

G.K. Motor Finance HC (Madurai), FCI and defending champion Central Excise also made it to the semifinals.

The results (quarterfinals):

TNSP 3 (Selvam, Muthupandi 2) bt Thirunagar 2 (Rajesh Kannan, Sathyaseelan); G.K. Motor Finance 5 (Richard, A.G. Kannan, John Paul, Ramdoss 2) bt Mount Star (Chennai) 3 (Karthik, Alexander, Vinodh); FCI 5 (Jegan, tie-breaker: Vijaya Kumar, Jegan, Venkatesh, Suresh) bt Young Challengers SC (Kovilpatti) 4 (Suresh, tie-breaker: Hemnath, Suresh, Solomon); Central Excise 4 (Radhakrishnan, Ibrahim, Merwin, Michael) bt Rudrappa HC (Udumalpet) 0. — Sports Correspondent