NEW DELHI, October 29: Lyallpur Khalsa Senior Secondary School (Jalandhar) defeated Shivalik Public School (Chandigarh) 3-0 to qualify for the semifinals from pool-I in the Junior Nehru Hockey Tournament at the National Stadium here today. Army Boys Sports Coy (BRC, Dhanapur) also made the grade from the pool when they routed Delhi's Union Academy Senior Secondary School 7-1.The position in the pool I is wide open as of now as there is a three-way tie among St Ignatius School (Gumla), Birsamunda Vidyapeeth (Rourkela) and CRZ High School (Sonepat). But the first two named seem in a better position to qualify from the pool. However, a clear picture will emerge only tomorrow.In the first superleague match today, the Jalandhar boys dominated the proceedings completely but were able to score only once in the first half. However, they picked up momentum in the second and struck twice. But they were guilty of missing quite a few opportunities in both halves.The Shivalik boys found themselves at the receiving end from the very beginning against a speedy Jalandhar outfit. Jalandhar boys keeping the ball possession for maximum time made some worthwhile moves but when it came to shooting they fumbled.After their opening the account in the seventh minute through Tajinderpal Singh off a cross from left the team went into shell. The Shivalik boys, on their part, seemed happy to guard the citadel and this was evident from the way they tightened the defence.On resumption, the teams indulged in aimless play for quite a while before Manwinder Singh consolidated off their fourth penalty corner. Pavitarjit Singh made it 3-0 for Jalandhar to seal the fate of Shivalik School.The Dhanapur team struck three goals in the first session with little resistance from Union Academy and after change of ends pumped in four with just a consolation goal for Union Academy coming in between.The star performer for Dhanapur was Arvind Kumar, who accounted for the last three goals to complete a hat-trick.Alexius Tirkey opened the account with a goal in the 11th minute and in the very next minute Biraj Tete increased their tally with a crisp shot from top of the Dee. Neeraj Tigga made it 3-0 as the teams took the break.The change of end brought more luck for the Dhanapur boys as the Union Academy boys, down 0-3, were looking tired and weary. Taking advantage of the situation, Vijay Topno struck in the 40th minute. Then it was Arvind Kumar all over. A great opportunist that he is, Arvind was always lurking inside the Dee and whenever the ball came near him he simply guided it in.
