S. Railway and SAI post wins

Chennai: Southern Railway and Sports Authority of India (South) finished on the winning side in the first round of the semifinal league in the all-India Basheer Ahmed Memorial hockey tournament on Wednesday at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium.

SAI secured a close 3-2 victory over Indian Bank thanks to the match-winner nine minutes before the final whistle. Off to a flying start in the opening minute through Shankar Patil, SAI maintained a 2-0 lead at half-time after Naveen scored midway through. Karthikeyan scored twice for Indian Bank.

The traditional rivals, Southern Railway and Integral Coach Factory were locked in a keenly fought match with the former emerging a convincing winner by three goals to one. Despite surging into the lead midway in the first half, ICF squandered to the initiative to the opponent. Southern Railway’s star was Vivek who not only restored parity close on half-time but put the team ahead in the 56th minute. Diwakaran scored the third goal six minutes before the whistle.