Kurukshetra to meet Mumbai in final

MUMBAI: Hosts University of Mumbai and Kurushetra University, Haryana, advanced to the final of the INK Infrastructure-West Zone and Inter-Zonal Inter-University men’s hockey Tournament, conducted by the M.M.K. College of Commerce & Economics.

In the first semifinal, University of Mumbai players did not have to exert themselves too much as their opponents Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, disputed the umpire’s decision and walked out after conceding the third goal in the 33rd minute.

The technical official, Noor Shaikh, gave the Amritsar side the mandatory two minutes time to restart, but they refused to continue with the match. The judge Varinder Singh then awarded the match to the Mumbai team.

GNDU coach Mannu Sood blamed the poor officiating for withdrawing the team from the match. “I was not satisfied with the umpires officiating the match. There were many decisions against us and after conceding three goals, I felt it was better to forfeit the match,” he said.

Surprisingly, the Amritsar team has not lodged any official protest. This was confirmed by the tournament director Sukhbir Singh. “They have not given any complaint of protest in writing. And according to the rules, the technical officials did the right thing by giving GNDU the stipulated two minutes to restart the match.”

In the second semifinal, goalkeeper Manjit Sight played a key role in helping Kurushetra University beat Madras University 3-1 via the tie-breaker, after the team were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

Showing superb reflexes and agility, Manjit stopped the first four attempts by the Madras lads in the shootout. For the Haryana side, Harmeet Singh, who had scored in the fourth minute to put his team in front, and Rohtash were successful with the first two attempts.

Results (SF): University of Mumbai 3 (Nitin Kumar, Yuvraj Walmiki, Boon D’Souza) beat Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar 0. GNDU conceded the match.

Kurushetra University, Haryana 3 (Harmeet Singh 2, Rohtash) beat Madras University 1 (S Manoj) via tie-breaker.