SAI INTER-REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

ABSC keep semis hope alive

Bangalore: Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC) kept their semifinal hopes alive in the Sports Authority of India all-India inter-regional hockey tournament outclassing North Zone 6-2 at the KSHA Stadium here on Wednesday.

Chandan Aind was the star of the day for ABSC, pumping in five goals including a stunning reverse hit from the top of the penalty area.

Both ABSC and North play their crucial final league tie on Thursday against West and East respectively, looking for a berth in the last-four stage.

ABSC, who lost their first match to East, held the advantage right from the start in terms of possession and incursions into the circle but a goal eluded them till the 23rd minute when Aind found the target.

He doubled his tally four minutes later with a penalty corner conversion while Uday Bara made it 3-0 moments into the second-half. ABSC custodian Nelson Kujur was hardly tested until the 42nd minute when he was squarely beaten by rival skipper Dharmender in a penalty corner.

However, ABSC quickly regained the three-goal cushion when Aind (44th) ended a swift counter move with an elegant reverse hit. North reduced the arrears again through Dharmender (42nd) but Aind slotted in two more in the last five minutes to close out in fine fashion.