Date:26/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/26/stories/2008022656031800.htm

Sport - Hockey

BP, Army XI in semifinals

NEW DELHI: Bharat Petroleum and Army XI took contrasting routes to their semifinal clash in the fourth Oriental Bank-Maharaja Ranjit Singh hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium here.

On Monday, Bharat Petroleum blanked Punjab National Bank 2-0 before Army XI bounced from a 0-2 deficit in regulation time to beat Punjab and Sind Bank 5-3 via tie-breaker.

In Tuesday’s other semifinal, Air-India (North) will take on Indian Oil.

Bharat Petroleum did all the scoring in the second half through Pundalik Bellary (48th minute) and Sabu Verkey (52nd).

After PSB scored through Tassavarjit Singh (35th) and Kulwinder Singh (44th), Army XI hit back with Eliazer Lakra (53rd) and D. Mahadik (57th).

In the tie-breaker, Mahadik, Sunil Ekka failed to score off the first two attempts, but Eliazer Lakra, Anil Kumar Ekka and Chittaranjan Singh converted from the spot.

For the bankmen, only Mandeep Singh met with success off the third attempt. Baljit Singh Saini, Onkar Singh, Kulwinder Singh and Rajwinder Singh missed.