Alphonso flavour in Bombay win

Two late goals by striker Vijay Alphonso helped Bombay, down 0-2 and outplayed for most part of the game, to level the score 2-2. In the tie-breaker the two teams were tied four all and Robindro Okram scored the winning goal in the sudden death to put Bombay in the final.

For Air-India Indian senior team members Deepak Thakur, Anurag Raghuvanshi and star striker Prabhjot Singh were the scorers.

The day8217;s proceedings started 105 minutes late as a power breakdown delayed the watering of the astroturf surface. Tournament director Mohd Ghouse with the consent of the two teams, restricted the first semi-final match between Air-India and Bengal to 30 minutes a side and cancelled the extra time in case of a draw. In the second match also after the teams were level 2-2 in the full time, tie breaker was taken as it was getting dark.

In the tie-breaker, Harmit Singh, Sharanjit Singh, Mandip Singh and Kanwalpreet Singh scored while Prabhdeep Singh failed for PSB. For Bombay Robindo Okram, Vijay Alphonso, Sunil Singh, Stanley Fernandes scored while Asad Khan failed to leave the tie-breaker level at 4-4. In the sudden death Kanwalpreet Sindh shot the ball wide to put Bombay in the final.

PSB went ahead with an opportunistic goal by Ajitpal Singh in the fourth minute. The Bombay defenders were caught unawares when Sunil Singh8217;s cross found Ajitpal who deflected home in a flash. A fine effort from Parminder Singh set up the second goal for PSB when the agile skipper took the ball from the 25-yard line and gotpast two defenders and crossed to Harmit Singh to do the rest in the 16th minute.

Bombay played far better game in the second half and grew in strength but failed to pierce the PSB defence. With just three minutes left for the final hooter the game suddenly came alive for Bombay as Vijay struck converting a penalty stroke. Bombay won the stroke when Vijay was stickchecked by Bikramjit in the goalmouth. Two minutes later Bombay were lucky as they were awarded a penalty corner in the dying moments of the match as a PSB defender carried the ball in the danger area. Vijay struck again with a precision drive to the glee of the Bombay supporters.

The first semifinal between Air-India and Bengal virtually turned out to be a one-sided affair but for some moments of brilliance by Bengal skipper Iqbal Singh and Samarjit Singh.

Both teams started on a cautious note. But Air-India took the lead in the 28th minute, they completely dominated Bengal. Anurag Raghuvanshi put the winners in the lead thudding the boardsoff the third penalty corner.

Prabhjot Singh, the star forward who has scored 18 goals in the championship so far, put Air-India 2-0 up in the 34th minute. Substitute Vinay Kumar crossed from the right to put through Prabhjot and the jubiliant forward struck in a trice reverse flicking the ball in, leaving Bengal defenders and the keeper dumbfolded.

Seven minutes later Deepak Thakur completed the tally with a spectacular solo effort. Making a run from the half line, Deepak slotted home after deceiving defender Bharath Bhagwar and the custodian Sushil Minz.