CHANDIGARH: BUOYED by a brace from Satvir Singh, Western Air Command team scored an easy 3-1 win over Central Air Command in a league match on the opening day of the Air Force Hockey Championship which commenced at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium on Monday.

Displaying a disciplined perfor mance, Western Air Command shot into lead through an opening goal by Satvir Singh in the 18th minute. Satvir Singh made all the difference in the opening minutes of the first half as he was instrumental in creating some fine passes and moves. Satvir Singh increases the leeway for Western Air Command as he scored another goal in the 38th minute. S Singh extended the lead in 53rd minute as Western Air Command raced to a 3-0 lead. The solitary goal for Central Air Command was scored by Sequira in the 62nd minute.

In the second match of the day, Southern Air Command defeated Eastern Air Command by 1-0 to register their first win in the championship. VK Yadav scored the solitary goal for Southern Air Command thereby handing his team a win. In another match of the day, South Western Air Command scored a 1-0 win over Training Command. Arun Kumar was the lone scorer for South Western Air Command scoring a goal in the 40th minute. In the last match of the day, Maintenance Command drubbed Air Headquarters by 3 0. Vignesh was the star of the day for Maintenance Command as he scored a hat trick scoring goals in ninth, 20th and 57th minute.

Air Marshal Gautam Nayyar, Air Officer Commanding-in Chief, Maintenance Command inaugu rated the Championship.