Date:23/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/23/stories/2006042308731800.htm

Sport - Hockey

Quarterfinalists spotted

VIJAYAWADA: Mumbai, Namdhari, Orissa, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar topped their respective pools to qualify for the quarterfinals of the DNR 12th sub-junior National hockey championship at the DNR grounds in Bhimavaram on Saturday.

In a keenly fought contest, Namdhari quelled Delhi's challenge 2-1. After a goalless first half, Gurmail Singh hoodwinked Delhi's defence to slam the first goal in the 40th minute. Undeterred by the setback, Delhi drew parity with Umesh Kumar's productive raid in the 42nd minute. However, a brilliant goal by Malak Singh in the 57th minute enabled his team to qualify for the next stage.

In another encounter, Bihar beat Punjab 2-0. Binay Bhengra opened the account with a dazzling field goal in the 12th minute and slammed another in the 48th minute to seal the fate of Punjab.

The results:

Group A: Manipur 0 drew with Madhya Pradesh 0; Group B: Namdhari 2 bt Delhi 1; Group C: Kerala 3 bt Jammu & Kashmir 2, Orissa 21 bt Gujarat 0; Group D: West Bengal 2 bt Chattisgarh 1, Haryana 1 bt Patiala 0; Group F: Jharkhand 12 bt Maharashtra 1; Group F: Uttar Pradesh 21 bt Pondicherry 0; Group G: Tamil Nadu 5 bt Rajasthan 0; Group H: Bihar 2 bt Punjab 0. — Sports Reporter