New Indian Express: Last-minute Strike Helps Excise Hold IOB

CHENNAI: A last-minute Basavaraj goal ensured that Central Excise held IOB to a 3-3 draw in a Super Six League match of the Chennai Hockey Association at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Wednesday.

There was a small altercation when Excise’s Amardeep Ekka was hit on the leg by an IOB defender while trying to clear. The referee handed out a card after which Excise players threatened to boycott the tie.

But, in a moment of sportsmanship, both captains came together and decided to go ahead. Excise skipper Allen Rajesh said, “Our defender was just trying to clear the ball and inadvertently hit Ekka. The referee handed out a card. That was seen as unfair by my team. But Senthil (Kumar, IOB skipper) and I got together with the referee and came to the conclusion that it didn’t deserve a card.”

Results: Central Excise 3-3 IOB; ICF 3-3 Southern Railways.