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Times of India: SECR to face SAI Sundergarh in All India hockey final

Times of India: SECR to face SAI Sundergarh in All India hockey final

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SECR to face SAI Sundergarh in All India hockey final

Suhas Nayse,TNN

NAGPUR: City giants South East Central Railway (SECR) will clash with Sports Authority of India, Sundergarh in the final of the 1st All India VHA-Nagpur Gold Cup Hockey tournament, organized by Vidarbha Hockey Association under the auspices of Hockey India, at the VHA ground on Friday.

VHA Senior Division champions SECR thrashed Sports Hostel, Rourkela 4-1 to keep alive the hopes of the local supporters.

Rourkela began well and threatened SECR custodian on few occasions but could not score.

However, the railmen fought back gallantly and fired four goals in the second half to enter the final in style. Karan Kushwaha broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute. A couple of minutes later, Irshad Mirza helped SECR take lead when he slammed a brilliant field goal. The talented youngster converted penalty stroke in the 57th minute to increase the lead.

Shadab Khan sealed the fate of the visitors by sounding the board in the 66th minute.

For Rourkela, Alok Barla struck a consolation goal in the 18th minute.

Earlier in the first semifinal, SAI, Sundergarh pipped Maharashtra XI by a solitary goal which was scored by Sushil Ekka in the 63rd minute.

The final will be played at 3.30 pm on Saturday after the third place match between Maharashtra XI and Sports Hostel Rourkela which will be played at 2 pm.

Three-time Olympian and 1975 World Cup winning player Ashok Kumar will grace the prize distribution function. Shyam Wardhane, Municipal Commissioner, Nagpur will be the chief guest of the final.

RESULTS (SEMIFINALS):

SAI Sundergarh 1 (Sushil Ekka 63rd min) bt Maharashtra XI 0. SECR 4 (Karan Kushwaha 42nd, Irshad Mirza 44th, 57th PS, Shadab Khan 66) bt Sports Hostel, Pomposh, Rourkela 1 (18th Alok Barla). Today’s matches Third place play-off: Maharashtra XI vs Sports Hostel, Rourkela (2 pm) Final: SECR vs SAI Sudargarh (3.30 pm).

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