PUNE, March 1: Hosts West Zone defeated South Zone 3-0 to annex full points in the opening encounter of the 28th all-India Food Corporation of India (FCI) inter-zonal hockey tournament which got underway at the PCMC poligras stadium here today.West Zone made an early breakthrough through center forward Yaqub Ansari off a brilliant solo effort. Eight minutes before half-time, West Zone slammed in the second goal coming off a penalty corner conversion. Striker Shawar Khan cracked the ball in which deflected off the goal keeper's pads. After the breather, West Zone continued to dominate proceedings. Midway in the session medio Farzan Ur Rehman flicked home receiving a fine pass from Mohammed Mujaheed.East Zone too started their league campaign on a winning note. They got the better of last year's title holders North Zone by the odd goal in three. Right-out Sudhir Minz scored the first goal off a pass from Jugal Kishore Kiro. Later, in the second session, J Surin made the issue safe pouncing on a rebound by the rival custodian to slam home. Rajiv Panchal reduced the margin in the dying minutes. The consolation came off the 13th penalty corner.In the last match of the day, Headquarters posted a 2-1 win over NEF Zone. VS Rama made inroads into the rival defence in the 10th minute. Two minutes before lemon time, NEF Zone equalised via left-in Umashankar Singh who capitalised the team's fourth penalty corner.The match winner for Headquarters came in the 62nd minute of the stick of Dulare Lal off the penultimate penalty corner awarded to the side. Both sides received six penalty corners apiece. A two minute silence was observed in respect of the late Sunil Sharma, who was employed at Headquarters.Today's fixtures: 2.00 p.m: North Zone vs South Zone; 3.45 p.m: West Zone vs East Zone.
