Punjab, Airlines enter semis

HYDERABAD, Dec 7: National Games winners Punjab humiliated National champions Railways 3-0 to book a berth in the last four from Group B in the Federation Cup Hockey Tournament at the Begumpet Hockey Stadium, today. Joining Punjab in the semifinals were Group A leaders and holders Airlines who had little difficulty in working past Tamil Nadu 4-1, with the in-form forward Alta-ur-Rehman scoring four in a row.

But the most exciting match of the day was the one between Mumbai and new entrants Air-India, in which the latter edged out the former 5-3 after suffering a third minute setback. Punjab stormed the rival citadel in the very first minute itself when Sarabjeet Singh, sprinting down the right flank, sent in a measured centre to Baljeet Singh Bhullar who briskly moved into the circle before finding the boards with a rasping drive. Jagdev Singh converted a penalty-corner in the 25th minute to give his side a 2-0 lead.

Barely three minutes into the second half, Harvinder Singh scored off an indirect penalty-corner to put further pressure on the Railways.

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Air-India Shine: In the match against Air-India, international Sabu Varkey gave a flying start to Mumbai when he set up Claes Ferriera whose deflection found the net. But it took only five minutes for their opponents to strike back, through Darryl D’Souza. Edward Aranha made good use of an Anil Aldrin cross, in the 33rd minute, to put Air-India ahead.

After the break, the winners netted two goals in the space of six minutes. Surinder Kundu converted a stroke in the 40th, after the Mumbai custodian Jude Menenzes hooked Aranha’s stick in front of the goal. That was followed by another goal through Davinder.