Impressive win for PSB

CHENNAI, July 30: Indian Hockey Federation Junior XI and Punjab and Sind Bank PSB, improved their chances of further progress in the MCC-...

CHENNAI, July 30: Indian Hockey Federation Junior XI and Punjab and Sind Bank PSB, improved their chances of further progress in the MCC-Murugappa Hockey Tournament here this evening.

PSB, who bounced back after losing their first match, scored an impressive second successive win today, beating Karnataka XI 3-0 after leading by a solitary goal at the break. The bankmen are at the top position along with IHF Juniors with 7 points and a match on hand.

IHF Juniors, whose performance was always not assertive, found their touch today and beat Air-India 2-0, after a barren first half. IHF Juniors face the tough Tamil Nadu XI while PSB will have holders Indian Airlines as their last opponents.

The ability to convert penalty corners was PSB8217;s forte, as two of their three goals came through such awards. Rajinder Singh8217;s jr direct hit and Olympian Sanjeev Kumar8217;s effort off an indirectly corner were successful. Sanjeev scored the other goal too after weaving around the Karnataka defence before crashing the ball into the boards.

Karnataka were beaten but they too had their chances and if only captain Samson Fernandes had made use of the opening, things would have been different.

In an earlier match, IHF Juniors erased the memory of last evening8217;s defeat at the hands of PSB with a superb win over Air-India.

With striker Virender Singh well marked by Edgar Mascaranhas Sr, the IHF Junior moves had to be built from the left flank. This they did well inspite of having to get the better of Olympian Anil Aldrin. The juniors were also helped by a shaky Edgar Mascaranhas Jr, guarding the Air-India goal, who failed to judge the move and keep position.

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The junior8217;s opened the score when Gurmail Singh8217;s rasping penalty corner drive crashed onto the boards nine minutes after restart.

Eight minutes later Rajesh Chauhan completed the tally, finishing with a first timer after a solo move on the left wing.