Mandeep scores a hat-trick

CHANDIGARH: A fine hat-trick by Mandeep Singh in the space of seven minutes in the second half helped Border Security Force (BSF) outclass Haryana Police 5-0 in the semifinals of the 57th all-India Police hockey championship here on Tuesday.

Mandeep struck in the 40th minute to open the account for BSF. He converted two penalty corners in the 42nd and 47th minutes. Varinderjit Singh in the 59th minute and Parkash Kerketta in the 65th minutes further added to the ignominy of the Haryana team.

In the other semifinal, defending champion Punjab Police cruised to a 5-1 victory over Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), thanks to double strikes by Satwinder Singh and Kanwalpreet Singh. The other goal for Punjab Police came through Amit Singh.

Satwinder put Punjab ahead in the 10th minute. Skipper Kanwalpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the 23rd minute and Satwinder helped the team to a 3-0 lead by halftime.

On resumption, Kanwalpreet converted a penalty conrer in the 43rd minute, and Compal Lakra scored a face saving goal for CISF in the 59th minute. With three minutes left for the hooter, Amit Singh completed the tally.