Panposh XI delight

Bombay Gold Cup: Day IV: Sunday, the 19th April 2009

Talented Panposh XI, Orissa played attractive hockey to overcome Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai 3-1 in an exciting second round tie for a place in the elite main draw, in the 47th Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament at the MHA-Mahindra Stadium on Sunday.

Panposh, who join Air India and Karnataka XI in Group B in the elite league, sounded an early warning by earning a first minute penalty corner. Though their first attempt at goal was foiled, they breached the IOB defence just two minutes later when defender Amit Rohit Das fired home off their second penalty corner, for the first of his two goals.

But the equally impressive IOB ignored the early setback and earned three back-to-back penalty corners in the sixth minute to put the pressure back on Panposh, in a match between quality teams who exhibited fine stick work and good moves to the delight of the Sunday crowd.

IOB’s hard work paid dividends when Vinod Rayer found the equaliser in the ninth minute following a brilliant move.

But in a counter move in the next minute, Panposh surged ahead to earn their third penalty corner where Rohit Das was on target for a 2-1 lead.

Undeterred, IOB ignored the deficit and combined well to come up with a determined challenge.

They should have equalised but Gopinath’s powerful hit off a penalty corner was brilliantly saved on the goalline by Bipin Kerketta. Soon after, IOB had another chance but Aiyappan’s reverse hit went over.

While IOB tried hard for the equaliser, Panposh initiated a sudden move and were rewarded with their third goal as striker Jems Jidan Munda, who scored three goals in their opening match against Lucknow United, connected to beat IOB goalkeeper Arun Gandhi.

IOB had a chance to reduce the margin but Panposh goalkeeper Saurabh Singh, who came up with a plethora of saves for an outstanding performance, blocked Muthulselvan’s 33rd minute penalty stroke.

With Panposh in control with a 3-1 lead, IOB, who squandered eight penalty corners in the process, struggled to breach the rival defence in a surprisingly barren second half.

Result: Panposh XI 3 (Amit Rohitdas 2, Jems Jidan Munda) bt Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai 1 (Vinod Rayer).

MONDAY: 4.15 p.m. Southern Railway vs Indian Bank, Chennai (