Date:23/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/23/stories/2006102304821900.htm

Sport - Hockey

SAIL gets past CRPF

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Steel Authority of India Limited kept itself in the fray for a place in the main draw by defeating Central Reserve Police Force 5-2 in a Pool D match of the National hockey championship qualifying round at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Sunday.

Deepak Lakra opened the scoring for SAIL in the 32nd minute and then hammered two goals within the space of two minutes after the break. Wilson Minz and Amir Hayat were SAIL's other scorers.

Jolen Topno and V. Hemram scored a goal each for CRPF.

On Saturday, defending champion Punjab & Sind Bank ensured a qualifier's spot by beating Central Industrial Security Force 5-0 in Pool A. In Pool C, Namdhari XI overcame Sports Authority of India 3-1 after leading 2-0 at the breather. Gurpreet Singh scored the first two goals and Sukhjinder Singh added the third midway through the second half. Shashi Kant reduced the margin for SAI.

Border Security Force beat Food Corporation of India 4-1 thanks to goals by Sushil Kujur (2), Habil Topno and Virender Singh.

Naveen Kumar scored FCI's lone goal. The win may not mean much for BSF as it had lost its previous match to Air-India in the three-member Pool B.

At Ludhiana, Dhanraj Pillay scored a brace as Indian Airlines blanked Rajasthan 5-0. Samir Dass (2) and Vikram Pillay were the other scorers.