ALL-INDIA SAI INTER-REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
East post second victory
Bangalore: East Zone claimed full points in their second straight match in the Sports Authority of India all-India inter-regional hock ey tournament with a 3-0 victory over Army Boys Sports Company (ABSC) at the KSHA Stadium here on Tuesday.
East, who had edged past West Zone in the tournament opener on Monday, surged ahead in the ninth minute through Sunil Topo. East clung on to the narrow lead going into the breather.
However, Markus Topno struck a quick
brace in a span of two minutes to make matters safe for East. Topno, who found target on the first match as well, took his tournament tally to three with the two goals (41st, 42nd).
In another match, West Zone slumped to their second consecutive loss as they went down fighting to North Zone 3-2.
West, however, had a good start to the match when Jasbir opened the account in the very first minute. Dharmender restored parity for North in the 19th minute through a penalty corner conversion while Sidhant made it 2-1 in favour of North four minutes later.
West fought back into the match with a 27th-minute strike to set up a thrilling finish. But, North had the last laugh when Mohit Thakur sealed the issue with a goal in the 42nd minute.