Date:27/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/27/stories/2006042709022200.htm

Sport - Hockey

Army XI in title round

Mumbai: Just as the hooter went, Army XI forced a penalty corner, converted it through A.K. Mahji and scored a 2-1 win against Western Railway in the semifinal round robin league match of the 44th Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mahindra Stadium here on Wednesday.

With two wins in as many matches Army XI earned the right to meet BPCL in the title match on Saturday. Both Western Railway and Namdhari XI will play the last semifinal league match that would be of academic interest. Both have lost two matches each.

Missed opportunities marked the first half of the clash between the defending champion Western and the Army XI. The local league winner, Western settled down in the second and took the lead in the 42nd minute, but Army XI, robust in its attack, levelled scores when S.V. Sunil shot home off a penalty corner rebound.

A draw looked a certainty before Army XI sprang a surprise on its opponent and gave itself a chance to win the match. And A.K. Mahji did not fail his side. — Special Correspondent