PSB, Punjab Police bows out

Baljit Saini could not play as he had sustained fracture in his hand and Olympian Sanjeev Kumar, who yesterday suffered injury on the back of his right palm, could not give his best performance as his moments were restricted due to swollen hand.

Punjab Police’s Olympian Ramandeep Singh was the main culprit in the regulation time against Border Security Force as he muffed a penalty stroke in the 55th minute. The regulation period ended in a one-all draw. In the tie-breaker session, Punjab Police’s Manpreet skied his stroke while Shinu Hereng converted his stroke to give Border Security Force the lead.

BSF did not allow Punjab Police to recover from the early setback. They converted the remaining penalty strokes through Sushil Kumar, Amrit Lakra, Iqbaljit Singh and Kuljinder Singh. Ramanpreet, Harpreet Singh and Baljit Singh succeeded with their tries for Punjab Police.

BSF and Punjab Police know the game of the each other as they are based in Jalandhar. Punjab Police, virtually an Indian team packed with Olympians and internationals, and Border Security Force dished out good hockey. Both had their share of exchanges and misses.

It was Punjab Police who drew the first blood. Fed by Harinder Singh, Sarabjit Singh unleashed an angular shot which foxed the BSF defence and goalkeeper Sarabjit Singh in the 14th minute.

Fresh from the triumph in the Baba Farid Gold Cup recently, Border Security Force launched counter-attacks. After Marinus Lakra missed a golden chance in the 17th minute, BSF maintained the pressure and their efforts bore fruits in the 19th minute as Shinu Hereng converted a pass from Harbhajan Singh.

BSF wasted penalty corners awarded to them in the 10th, 32nd, 49th and 61st minute. Punjab Police wasted their penalty corners in the first, third, eighth, 41st, 52nd and 64th minutes.

In the second semi-final Punjab and Sind Bank were the first to threaten the goal of Air India in the ninth minute. After receiving a pass from Sandeep Singh Ghuman, Parminder Singh made enough room for himself before shooting with the reverse stick. However Air India goalkeeper Bopanna took the hot shot on his pads.

Air India forged ahead in the 15th minute. Edward Arahana tested PSB goalkeeper Teja Singh with a sizzling shot. The goalkeeper padded it and the ball travelled to Rajesh Chauhan who captalised on the rebound. The bankmen restored parity in the 25th minute through Rajinder Singh who converted a penalty corner with a crisp straight shot. The bankmen could have taken the lead one minute before the lemon break. However, with goalkeeper Bopanna at his mercy, Parminder Singh misdirected his shot.

In the tie-breaker, Air India converted their strokes through Sunder Kundo, Inder Salaria, Harpreet, Gavin Ferreira and Gagan Ajit Singh. Bhupinder Singh, Baljit Singh and Sharanjit Singh scored for the bankmen. Rajinder Singh’s push was saved by Air India keeper Bopanna.

The final will be played tomorrow at 3.00 p.m.