Sports Reporter

Chennai: Defending champion Indian Overseas Bank fell out of the title reckoning in the IOB-CHA Super Six Premier League hockey tournament here on Wednesday with a 2-1 loss to Integral Coach Factory.

With two wins and two losses from its four games, IOB can at best finish second if it beats Southern Railway ‘A’ in its one remaining match. Railway and Tamil Nadu Police, each boasting perfect records of three wins from three games, are yet to face each other.

ICF took the lead in the 6th minute through forward Sarath Babu, who scooped into the top corner with aplomb despite an unpromising angle rendered even more difficult by IOB keeper Shanmugam Sundaram’s closing down. It remained 1-0 through the first half thanks to some spectacular goalkeeping from Barani Raja at the other end — he pulled of a string of saves late in the half including a full-length dive to deny drag-flicker Stalin David with extended stick. IOB forward Adam Sinclair, who also had an effort stymied, missed an open-goal sitter from two yards out.

Counter-attacking move

ICF made it 2-0 in the 44th minute with a sweeping counter-attacking move that ended with midfielder A. Raja sliding home from Sarath Babu’s cross. Vinod Rayar pulled one back in the very next minute, but that was to be it for IOB, whose forwards continued to endure a day in which nothing came good.

Earlier, Southern Railway ‘A’ recorded its third win in three games, beating SAI ‘A’ 3-1. Magesh, Diwakaran and Gauthaman (penalty stroke) scored for Southern Railway, with Dhamu scoring SAI’s only goal.