Punjab to meet Air India in the Natioanals’ final tomorrow

New Delhi 9 June 2013: Punjab posted an emphatic 5-2 victory over seemingly hapless Karnataka to enter the successive final of the Senior Men National Championship played at Major Dhyan Chand Polygrass Hockey Stadium in Pune today.

In Monday’s final Defending Champion Punjab will take on Air India while Haryana will face Karnataka in the ¾ position match.

Thankfully, DD sports channel will be telecasting the final (17.30 hrs).

Leading 3-2 at the half time, Punjab scored through Deepak Thakur (10, 22 min), Gurjinder Singh (17 min0, Sarvanjit Singh (45 min) and Vikramjit Singh (58 min) while M K Muddappa (7 min) and Nikkin Thimmaiah (29 min) scored for Karnataka.

Punjab looked the better drilled outfit with a lot of character and composure while Karnataka committed far too many errors which put them on the defensive for the second half of the game.

Last year’s runners-up Air India defeated Haryana 7-3 in the first semi-final match. Air India who led 4-1 at the half time scored through Affan Yousuf (5, 43 min), Vikram Pillay (15 min), Prabodh Tirkey (28 min), Sameer Dad (31 min), Joga Singh (37 min) and Arjun Halappa (68 min) while Mandeep Antil (10 min), Hansraj (53 min) and Jitender Saroha (60 min) scored for Haryana.

Scoring an early goal through Affan Yousuf in the 5th minute, Air India stepped up the pressure on the opponents. Haryana failed to maintain composure under pressure in a game.

Results

Semi-Final 1- Air India 7 (Affan Yousuf 5, 43, Vikram Pillay 15, Prabodh Tirkey 28, Sameer Dad 31, Joga Singh 37, Arjun Halappa 68) beat Haryana 3 (Mandeep Antil 10, Hansraj 53, Jitender Saroha 60)

Semi-Final 2- Punjab 5 (Deepak Thakur 10, 22, Gurjinder Singh 17, Sarvanjit Singh 45, Vikramjit Singh 58) beat Karnataka 2 (M K Muddappa 7, Nikkin Thimmaiah 29)

Fixture for Monday, 10 June 2013

¾ Position- Haryana vs Karnataka (1400 hrs)

Final- Punjab vs Air India (1730hrs)