KSHA SUPER DIVISION

Bangalore: The first phase of the Super Division hock ey league is set for a dramatic final day’s action on Thursday as Karnataka State Police (KSP) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) stayed in contention with narrow victories at the SAI South Centre on Wednesday.

KSP finished their league engagements with a 4-3 win over Madras Engineer Group (MEG) while SAI edged out

Centre of Excellence (CoE) 3-2. A four-way battle is on the cards for the two second phase slots as KSP (10 pts) await the results from the two remaining matches — SAI (7 points) vs PCTC (9 points) and MEG (7 points) vs Central Excise. Better goal difference, in all likelihood, will be deciding factor.

SAI held their nerve after a poor start to hand CoE their third defeat on the trot and a cellar finish in the first phase.

But CoE looked a different side on the day with VS Vinay in their line-up. The international made his presence felt with some splendid assists and eye-catching dribbles.

CoE called the shots early on but it was SAI who took the lead in the fifth minute. Capitalizing on a lapse in concentration by defender Nagalinga Swamy inside the CoE penalty area, rival skipper Nilesh KA pounced on the opportunity to score with a deft push from the right.

CoE got the equaliser ten minutes later when Vinay connected a free hit just outside the opponent circle.

SAI broke parity when Deepak Bijwad slotted in a penalty stroke (43rd) but CoE fought back with captain Lakshman Karan scoring through a penalty corner (50th).

SAI clinched the winner when a long-corner hit by Cheeyanna was smartly deflected in by lanky Mudappa MK nine minutes from the hooter.