Ravi Dhaliwal

Nabha (Patiala), December 28

Anyone can support a team that is winning – it takes no courage. But to stand behind a team and prop it up when it is down – that takes a lot of guts. And that was precisely what CISF coach Ajay Singh did as he stood like a rock behind his squad making some intelligent substitutions when the chips were down to ensure that CISF, Chandigarh made their way past Sports Hostel, Lucknow 3-2 in the 34th All India Liberals hockey tournament here today.

CISF started off in style with striker Amit Kumar sounding the board. Rana equalised for Lucknow when he intelligently drew out the goalkeeper before caressing the ball into the netting while CISF making it 2-1 through the efforts of Cyril Ekka.

However, their joy was shortlived with Lucknow again finding the equaliser through Chandan Singh. It was here that coach Ajay Singh decided to shift from the passive 4-4-2-1 format to the more attacking 5-3-2-1 style.

Lucknow stepped on the gas and started making repeated forays into the striking circle. Defender Major Singh came in for a jaded Munda and things started looking up for CISF. In a ploy which went down well for CISF, Ajay Singh took out yet another man from the defence and placed him upfront.

With half the team in the attacking mould, it was just a matter of time before CISF scored and this time they did so through the efforts of the hard working Major Singh, whose lightening fast penalty corner brooked no resistance from the goalkeeper, giving his team a 3-2 victory margin.

In other matches of the day, UP Police downed NER, Gorakhpur 2-1 with Sajid Khan and Rakesh Kanojia scoring for the winners; Dhudike XI took the tie breaker route to douse a fighting Rock Rovers, Chandigarh 3-0 while in the last match of an interesting day’s card J&K Police beat Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Academy, Amritsar 3-2.