PNB, ONGC in Nehru hockey final

NEW DELHI: Punjab and National Bank (PNB XI) took to the turf for their semifinal match against Air India in the ONGC-Nehru hockey tournament at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Thursday, determined to make a mark. That they did, handing out a 4-2 defeat to their experienced rivals to make their first final in the tournament.

Damandeep Singh of PNB put the ball past the Air India goalkeeper in the first minute to set the tone of the match. Air India’s Lalit Upadhaya came up with the equalizer in the 10th minute only to see his team fall back again, in the 21st minute, when PNB’s Jatinder scooped the ball to the roof of the post off a penalty corner. AI’s Rahul Shilpkar equalised again by converting a penalty corner in the 25th minute.

In the second half, PNB scored twice to seal the issue.

Meanwhile, in another semifinal, ONGC emerged victorious against Bharat Petroleum by identical margin (4-2) to make the final. Hat-trick by ONGC’s Gurwinder Singh set the momentum for the team.

The final will be played at 3 pm on Friday.