GURMIT HOCKEY

AI, IOC set up summit clash

Chandigarh: Air India (AI) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will meet in the final of the 38th SN Vohra’s All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. The match will start at 5 pm. With lot of stars in the ranks of both the teams, the final is expected to be a cracker.

The semifinals played on Monday were high quality affairs. A large number of Olympians, including Dhanraj Pillay, and other international players were seen in action. AI beat Oil and Natural Gas Corporation with an aggregate 8-6 margin in the tiebreaker. In a fast-paced encounter, Air India and ONGC were locked 5-5 after the end of regulation time.

With drag flick specialist Sandeep Singh converting two penalty corners in the 55th and 58th minutes, Air India were comfortably leading 5-3. But despite the two-goal deficit, the ONGC boys never lost heart and maintained their tempo. They were rewarded when Diwakar Ram converted their fourth penalty in the 61st minute.

Still trailing by a goal ONGC players went all out and Vikas Toppo deflected the ball in from close range off a free hit taken from top of the striking circle. Pillay was at his vintage best when in the 23rd minute he deflected the ball home off a cross by AB Cheeyana.

Air India scored through Shivinder Singh (2nd, 52nd), Dhanraj Pillay (33rd), Sandeep Singh (55th, 58th, both penalty corners). For ONGC, Pramod (6th), Diwakar Ram (47th, 61st) and Vikas Toppo (28th, 70th) scored in the regulation period.

In the tiebreaker, Shivinder, Bimal Lakra and Sandeep Singh converted their strokes while Prabodh Tirkey wasted his chance. For ONGC only Diwakar Ram managed to score. Air India goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza foiled three penalties.

With Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh, Rajpal Singh and Raghunath in their line-up, IOC prevailed over plucky Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai, 2-1 in the day-night semifinal.

The bankmen forged ahead in the 18th minute through Rajnikanth who converted a penalty corner. Olympian and IOC captain Deepak Thakur restored parity in the 48th minute and Olympian Prabhjot Singh snatched the match winners with a field goal in the 68th minute.