NEW DELHI, November 17: Northern Railways became the first team to qualify for the Super League when they humbled Hyderabad XI 5-0 in a pool four match of the 35th Nehru-ONGC senior hockey tournament at the National Stadium here today. A P Singh scored three goals in the Railways' big win. Railways topped the three-team pool with two wins.I.H.F (Blue) overpowered Karnataka XI 4-0 in pool 2 for their second successive win in the preliminary league.The Northern Railway players did not have to sweat it out much as their opponents proved to be a mismatch. With a strong forward line, the Railway players went about their task methodically and struck twice in the first session. On change of ends, however, they mounted a relentless attack with little resistance coming from Hyderabad XI.A.P.Singh gave the lead to the Railways in the ninth minute and after another 28 minutes A.P.Singh scored his second goal. Brijnesh made it 3-0 in the 42nd minute and then A.P.Singh scored his third and the team's fourth goal in the 57th minute.Brijnesh completed the tally when he chipped in his second goal and team's fifth in the 63rd minute.Spearheaded by Gagan Ajit Singh, who scored two goals, IHF (Blues) routed Karnataka XI 4-0 to virtually book their place in the Super League.This was IHF (Blues) second straight win in the four-team pool. The winners led 2-0 at half time.Gagan Ajit Singh scored in the 17th and 70th minute while Saurabh Bishnoi (22nd minute) and S.S.Gill (66thm) were the other scorers.In pool 1, Sports Hostel, Lucknow overturned C.L.W. Chittaranjan 4-2.This was the second successive defeat for C.L.W and they are out of contention.For the winners, who trailed 1-2 at half time, Ranjeet, Ayaz Ahmed, Nisar Ahmed and Javed Mansoor scored. Anil Toppo and Petrus Toppo were the scorers for the losers.In pool 2, Air India Academy were held to a goalless draw by Hawks Club (Punjab).
