Punjab sail into Senior National Championship last 8
TNN

BANGALORE: Gurjinder Singh and Akashdeep Singh scored three goals each as Punjab waltzed into the quarterfinals from Pool ‘C’ in the 2nd Hockey India Senior National Championship with a crushing 7-2 victory over Services Sports Control Board at the KSHA stadium here on Thursday.

Akashdeep rattled the rival citadel at will with his speedy moves while Gurjinder terrorized the goalkeeper with his thundering drag-flicks as Punjab topped the pool with nine points and end Services’ quarterfinal hopes.

Services looked in control for most part of the game but what did them in was their poor finishing. They seemed to be on course till the 54th minute, rallying to equalize 2-2, but were soon snuffed out by an avalanche of goals from their rivals.

Punjab went ahead in the ninth minute when Gurjinder converted a penalty corner. Services equalized in the 25th minute, Lovepreet Singh sounding the board off Mukesh Lakra. Gurjinder put his team up yet again in the 43rd minute before the game was halted for nearly 30 minutes due to heavy showers. On resumption, Services levelled the scores in the 54th minute when Sanwar Ali pounced on Lovepreet Singh’s drive that rebounded off the Punjab custodian Kamaldeep Singh’s gloves. Thereafter, it was Punjab as they scored five goals.