Air India will play PSB in the Ranjit Cup final tomorrow

When Jagroop Singh equalized a Vikas Pillay’s early goal, it was felt that Air Force may force a dramatic results against the much more acclaimed, Air India, but as later events proved, it was not to be.

This is the story of first semifinal of the seventh Maharaja Ranjit Singh Cup on the penultimate day at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi.

Despite ageing Air India mustered enough energy and enterprise to pump two more goals, each through veteran VS Vinaya and AB Cheeyana to defeat young Air Force 3-1. Air India struck all the goals in the first half, and then rolled the time out with patient ball play.

On the other hand, Punjab and Sind Bank in the other semifinal overcame rising temperature and increasing challenge of Army XI led by Ignace Tirkey to save its reputation of leading domestic team and ensure a narrow 2-1 win.

Karamjit Singh and junior international Ramandeep Singh struck a piece while Igance gently tapped in in a melee to give the semblance of fight back.

Like in the first semifinals, all the goals were posted in the first half, the second turned out to be a motion leisurely followed.

Air India will take on PSB in the final 15 hrs.