JAMMU, DECEMBER 4: After creating history by storming into the Ranji Trophy knock-out for the first time, now J&K did it in hockey by making its first-ever entry into the senior National hockey championship by beating Haryana 3-2 in a nail-biting last round robin league tie here on Monday.And left-out Mandeep Singh became the hero for the State by scoring winning goal when both the teams were playing at 2-2. Mandeep also emerged the highest goal scorer for the State team by scoring five goals out of total 11 J&K struck in the league.Besides J&K's entry into the Super League in Pool F, Chandigarh also qualified for the stage. Chandigarh's entry was almost through as it was already leading in the pool on Sunday with 10 points and after it beat Bhopal claimed highest 13 points. Fight for second team's entry was between J&K and Central Customs & Excise which closely stood at eight and seven points respectively on Sunday.But when Customs beat Himachal Pradesh in its last league match early this morning to reach at 10 points establishing its lead over the hosts its became do or die battle for J&K as the victory became must for the team to reach at 11 points which the team did and ensured its entry by a margin of single point. The position of next three teams out of total six in the pool is: HP four, Haryana three and Bhopal one point.Meanwhile, in the crucial encounter, last of the day and the league, J&K registered narrow 3-2 win over Haryana after trailing by 1-2 till 52nd minute in the 70-minute match. Deepak of Haryana opened the account of his team in the 8th minute by scoring a brilliant field goal in a solo effort.Jaan Jojo of J&K, however, scored equaliser by converting a penalty corner in the 16th minute to put his team out of trouble for the time being. But 10 minutes later, Deepak struck another fine field goal by hitting the ball on the top of the box.Gurjit Singh restored parity for hosts in the 52nd minute. But the draw was not the aim of the J&K team as it needed win only which finally came through Mandeep in the 69th minute amidst thundery applause of the strong crowd which led the team to the super league.Earlier, in the other matches of the day, Customs and Excise scored 4-0 win over Himachal. Suresh and Adole scored one goal each in the 13th and 29th minute while Rahul contributed two in the second galf, in the 39th and 41st minutes.Chandigarh beat Bhopal also 4-0 in second match of the last day. The goals came through Surjit Singh (8th minute), Raj Pal Singh (18th and 63rd minutes) and Ashwinder Singh (40th minute). The only left over pool G match between Patiala and All India Electricity Board ended goalless draw.
