SUPER DIVISION LEAGUE

Bangalore: Pioneer Corps Training Centre (PCTC) and Karnataka State Police (KSP) qualified for the second stage of the KSHA Super Division hockey league at the SAI South Centre on Thursday.

In a must-win game, PCTC quelled Sports Authority of India’s challenge 5-2 to top the first phase with 12 points. In the final tie of the phase, Madras Engineer Group (MEG), who were in need victory by a three-goal margin to pip KSP, failed to do so as they drew Central Excise 1-1.

‘A’ Division runners-up PCTC, who gained promotion to Super Division, put up a consistent performance while KSP, who came into the league as a depleted side without three strikers who have left the team recently, ended the phase on a high note with three consecutive wins. Tougher challenges await the two as they join an eight-team field for the second phase starting on Saturday.

PCTC took the lead in the 20th minute through Sairaj Singh. SAI struck back in the next minute when drag-flicker

Deepak Bijwad slotted in a high flick to the top right of the goal. Four minutes later, S Mundu made it 2-1 for PCTC.

Two minutes into the second half, Bijwad again came to SAI’s rescue with a setpiece conversion, this time with a low shot to the left of the goal (2-2).

It was SAI who called the shots for most part of the second-half in terms of possession and attacks, but they failed in driving home the advantage with goals.

Mundu completed his double (50th) after a diving effort as PCTC gained the lead against the run of play. Then, PCTC converted two penalty corners through Manju NM (55th) and Mundu (67th) to show SAI the door.