PNB, Army XI in title clash

On the penultimate day of the 7th edition of the All-India Guru Gobind Singh Gold Cup Hockey Tournament being organised by the Ludhiana Sports Welfare Association at the Prithipal Singh AstroTurf Stadium at Punjab Agricultural University campus here today, Punjab National Bank, Delhi, and Army XI, also from Delhi scripted victories in their semifinal encounters in the men’s section to set up a title clash.

In the first semifinal, Army XI warded off a stiff resistence from Punjab and Sind Bank, Jalandhar, to come out triumphant 2-1. The bankmen drew first blood in the 10th minute through Parminder Singh. Army XI players unleashed a series of attacks on rival territory but the success eluded them till the 44th minute when Rajesh Kumar scored the equaliser (1-1). Elazer Lakra found the target in the 53rd minute which sealed bankmen’s fate 2-1.

The second semifinal was played between Punjab National Bank, Delhi, and Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, in which the former came out winners 4-1. In the junior boy’s section, Jarkhar Academy trounced Gurukul Mehta Academy, Doraha, 6-1 to book their berth in final where they meet Grewal Academy, Kila Raipur.