BSF beat Russia side to top pool

JALANDHAR, Nov 12: Border Security Force rounded off their five-team round-robin programme with 12 points to top their pool A with an all-win record in the 15th Indian Oil All-India Surjit Hockey Tournament here today. In their last league match, they defeated Russia XI by 3-2 after leading 3-0 at half time to qualify for the semi-final.

Defending champions star-sprinkled Punjab Police were the second team to qualify from this pool with nine points from three wins and one defeat. Punjab and Sind Bank, Delhi and Indian Airlines, Mumbai moved into semi-finals. Both teams secured six points apiece in the four-team league. However, Punjab and Sind Bank topped the pool on better goal average. The bankmen scored eight goals and conceded four while Indian Airlines conceded six goals and scored five goals. Both teams won two matches and lost one.In the last league fixture today, Border Security Force beat Russia XI by 3-2. The performance of the Russian team in the tournametn was disappointing. They lost all theirfour league matches and could score just four goals while conceding a record number of 21 goals.

The other foreign team Allied Bank of Pakistan which were clubbed with Punjab and Sind Bank, Indian Airlines, Army XI and Rail Coach Factory, could not visit Jalandhar, as the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, did not issue visas to the Pakistan players despite the Indian Government clearing their visit to India. According to the line-up issued to the press by the Surjit Hockey Society, Allied Bank had a number of Olympians and internationals in their ranks. The team was billed as the top favourites.

As expected Border Security Force dominated the proceedings in the first half and took a commanding 3-0 lead in the first half. Bishamber Singh 11th, Linus Ekka 13th and Peter Tikey 33rd were the scorers.However, the Russians were allowed liberty by the securitymen in the second half. With the securitymen8217;s take-it-easy attitude, the oals to make the scoroals to make the scoroals to makrespectable.First fullback Tachnchemikor Alexander converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute and two minute before the hooter inside-right Biktimirov Ajat scored a field goal.