Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Mumbai, May 1: Star-studded Indian Airlines, who won the Sher-I-Kashmir title in Jammu on Saturday, huffed and puffed before they edged-out a spirited Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Delhi, 6-5 via the tie-breaker in the quarter-final of the All-India Guru Tegh Bahadur Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mahindra Stadium, on Monday. The teams were locked 2-2 after regulation time.
In the semi-finals, Airlines take on the winner of the BHA Colts-Border Security clash, scheduled to be played on Tuesday, May 2.
CISF forwards Mangra Munda, Cyril Ekka and captian GV Khakha began troubling the rival defence with speedy forays from the word go. From one such move in the seventh minute, striker GV Khakha found himself ideally placed following a through pass by Mangra Munda. But Khakha’s weak shot was easily cleared by former international goalkeeper Ashish Ballal.
Ballal, who had a good day, once again came to his team’s rescue when he confidently stopped successive attempts from close by right-winger Prateek and Kiro, following a goalmouth cross by Khakha from the left.
But Ballal was left high and dry in the 14th minute following a stroke, which resulted after IA defender Sabraj Singh used his body to stop Khakha’s goalbound scoop. Ballal was beaten by Khakha with a low push which struck the base of the left post before sounding the boards.
Airlines, slowly regrouped and restored parity in the 25th following their second penalty-corner. Sameer Dad, who took the push, passed it to Mohammed Riaz who pushed it back to him. Dad then beat CISF goalkeeper Raziuddin with an acute angle chest-high scoop make it 1-1.
In another move, IA forwards — Mukesh Kumar and Altaf-Ur-Rehman — combined to a nicety before CISF goalkeeper Raziuddin rushed out in time and averted the danger.
CISF also had two chances before change of ends but on both ocassions Prateek and Khakha failed to get the better of goalkeeper Ballal.
Airlines then forged ahead in the 57th after Kiro hooked left-winger Brojen Singh’s stick when the latter was about to shoot goalwards. Shakeel Ahmed converted the penalty without much ado.
But IA joy was shortlived as CISF had different plans and within 10 minutes Mangra Munda equalised. IA players protested but umpire Ranjit Dalvi stuck to his guns.
In the tie-breaker, Altaf-Ur-Rehaman, Mohammed Riaz, B Munda and Mukesh Kumar scored for Airlines while Shakeel’s push crashed into the post. Only Khakha, Praveen Kumar and Bharat Kumar converted for CISF. Cyril Ekka’s attempt was saved by goalkeeper Ballal and Irfan Ahmed’s push landed onto the upright.
