Air India, BPCL, CRPF qualify for main league

In the knock-out qualifying round, Air India defeated Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) 6-1 and Bharat Petroleum thrashed Sikh Regiment Centre (SRC) 7-3. CRPF struggled to beat Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) 1-0 in another encounter.

Starting on a promising note, CRPF pushed PSEB to the defence from the start. And finding things difficult, PSEB too preferred to stay behind to check CRPF insurgency. But a defensive lapse in the 17th minute changed their fate when Mukesh Kumar broke free from his shadows to collect a pass and rushed to score. That was the only time when PSEB conceded a goal as they fought valiantly to prevent any further casualties. PSEB tried to retaliate in the latter part of the game but the CRPF defence was tough to breach.

Northern Railway had a tough time against young Air India Academy. Taking charge in the beginning itself, the inspired Air India boys fought hard to stay in contention and made Railwaymen run to safeguard their citadel. But Railways drew the first blood through Rakesh Kumar who scored in the 14th minute. Air India retaliated with three goals. Sanjeev equalised in the 22nd minute and two minutes later Gaurav gave them the 2-1 lead. In the 33rd minute, Roshan Tete netted the third goal for the side to take things out of Railways hand.

For Air India (Mumbai), Davinder Kumar opened the account in the second minute. Captain Surinder Kundu converted a penalty stroke in the 11th minute for the second goal while international Rajesh Chauhan converted a penalty corner in the 26th minute for the third goal. Gagan Ajit Singh (35th), Cornelius D’ Costa (68th) and Prabjyot Singh (70) were the other scorers for Air India while Irfan Ahmed reduced the margin for the CISF.

In the BPCL vs SRC match, Amar Aimmya (18th, 51st, 58th), S. Bishnoi (29th, 30th) and Inderjit (35th, 39th) were the goalgetters while Lalit Indwar (12th), Vinay Kumar (65th) and Sukhmandar Singh Sr (66th) helped in reducing margin for SRC.