Arjun Antil of PNB Hockey Academy struck a golden goal in the 78th minute of the match against Surjit Hockey Academy (SHA) to place his team in the final of the Under-19 All India inter-academy hockey tournament held at Mahindra Stadium in Mumbai.
The semifinal match ended in a win for PNB Hockey Academy by 2-1. The match was tied 1-1 at regulation time with PNBs Siddharth Shankar and SHAs Manjinder Singh, both scoring goals in the first and second halves respectively. “When it comes to the golden goal, it is all about capitalising on every opportunity and my boys did exactly that,” said N S Saini, coach of the PNB Hockey Academy.
PNB Hockey Academy will now meet SAI Lucknow in todays finals at the Mahindra Stadium. The latter crushed P&S Bank Hockey Academy in a gruelling 3-2 fight. The match also entered extra-time after scores were levelled 2-2 at regulation time.
First of its kind, the inter-academy tournament organised by the Mumbai Hockey Association will scout for 66 outstanding participants from the wide of talent pool, and develop their capabilities. Former Indian hockey player and Olympian, Edgar Mascarenhas is heading the talent-search team.