EME, Punjab Police in final
Tribune News Service
EME, Jalandhar, made a triumphant entry into the final of the 36th Liberals All-India hockey tournament as they outperformed Punjab & Sind Bank, Jalandhar, 4-1 in the first semi-final. Punjab Police, Jalandhar, scraped past BSF, Jalandhar, 6-5 in a cliff-hanger which was decided through sudden-death after the tie-breaker too failed to decide the match.
EME proved their mastery on the grass, outclassing star-studded defending champions PSB to reach the final. For EME, inside-left Solomon scored a magnificent goal after beating a couple of defenders in the 18th minute. Full-back Sumeet Singh sent in a sizzling shot which deflected into the goal from the goalkeeper Dharminder’s pads for the equaliser (1-1).
EME immediately made a counter-attack and succeeded in regaining the lead when left-half Ekka converted a short corner. In the 42nd minute, centre-forward Biju made a solo effort from the 25-yard line and managed to force a penalty-corner when full-back Daler Singh obstructed him inside the circle. Prolific scorer Gujinder Singh did not make any mistake from the hit to put EME 3-1 ahead. Gujinder was again on target in 62nd minute through another penalty-corner to complete a 4-1 win for EME.
In the second semi-final, BSF and Punjab Police fought a pitched battle and the policemen drew first blood in 23rd minute when left-back Harinder Singh shot home from a short-corner. BSF equalized in the 55th minute through speedy inside-forward Saranjit Singh, who combined with Mukesh Kumar to get past the defenders and beat goalkeeper Rajbir Singh with a cracking shot.
The deadlock continued till the final whistle. In the nail biting sudden-death Punjab Police were able to finally beat BSF when Manpreet Singh’s feeble push was easily saved by Punjab Police which goalkeeper Rajbir Singh. The final will be held at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.