Railways emerges champion

Y. B. SARANGI

Railways outplayed Haryana 7-1 to emerge the champion in the National women’s hockey championship here on Sunday. Orissa finished third, defeating Punjab 5-3, in the play-off match.

Railways was the overwhelming favourite before the start of the championship and it came up with another dominating performance in the summit clash to take the title.

Railways’ well-oiled forward-line delivered a quick blow on the home team when Jasjeet Kaur’s drag-flick was deflected in by an alert Saba Anjum in the second minute.

Haryana, without the services of an injured Mamta Kharab, thwarted Railways for 10 minutes before conceding the second goal when Rani Rampal made the best use of Saba’s cross from the right.

QUICK LEAD

Railways struck two more goals in quick succession to take a 4-0 lead inside the first 15 minutes. Asunta Lakra (14th) slotted in a rebound from close range, while Deepika Thakur (15th) found the target off a Saba backpass.

Jasjeet extended the lead in the 27th minute, adding to Haryana’s woes. The host, however, made the most of a defensive lapse by Railways to earn a penalty corner in the 33rd minute and Sandeep Kaur converted it. Haryana was glad since this was the first-ever goal scored against Railways in the championship.

The second session was a drab affair. With the fate of the match almost sealed in its favour, Railways played at a much reduced pace but still managed to shoot home twice. Rani completed her brace after a fine exchange with Jasjeet in the 53rd minute and Joydeep delivered a powerful hit to convert a short corner four minutes before the hooter, which was sounded a little too early.

Haryana had some scope to initiate a few moves, which were rendered ineffective by the vigilant rival defenders.

Railways’ Rani was adjudged the “best player of the championship,” while 14-year-old Neha Goel of Haryana was named the “most promising player”. The home side’s Savita bagged the “best goalkeeper” award.

ELIN ON SONG

In the match for the third spot, Orissa rode on four consecutive goals by Elin to notch up a comfortable victory against Punjab. The Orissa strike pair of Lilima and Anupa exhibited good combination and troubled the opponent.

Lilima (3rd) drew first blood after which came Elin’s quartet in the 31st, 43rd, 48th and 52nd minutes. For Punjab, Vartika (23rd) and Thokchom Anuradha (46th, 66th), who converted a penalty stroke, reduced the margin.

The match had an unpleasant episode when the Punjab players objected to the second goal awarded to Orissa. They claimed that the ball had touched the leg of an Orissa defender before being put into the net by Elin. However, umpire Suman Chumbak did not agree with them and stuck to her decision. Punjab coach Harjeet Kaur was furious over the matter and ordered her players to leave the pitch.

Tournament Director Shakeel Ahmed Qureshi intervened to issue an ultimatum to the Punjab team after, which the match resumed.