Short Corner 8212; Chandigarh

Pakistan edge past India in sudden death
India8217;s spirited efforts to make a recovery came to naught as they went down fighting 10-11 via sudden death tie-breaker against Pakistan in the penultimate clash of the nine-match hockey series in Rawalpindi on Monday. his experimental Indian team which has found the sudden death8217; its undoing 8211; they went down similarly via a golden goal8217; in the extra-time in the series opener in New Delhi 8211; were tied 3-3 at the end of the regulation time. The teams were then level 8-all at the end of five penalty strokes each. The Indians were done in by the fourth of the sudden death8217; strokes as Thirumalvalavan8217;s feeble attempt was blocked by Pakistan goal keeper Ahmed Alam.

Indian eves win
Indian women launched their campaign for the Asia-Oceania Group-I Fed Cup qualifiers with a convincing 2-1 win over Uzbekistan in the opening tie in Samutpakarn Thailand on Monday. Uzma Khan powered her way to a straight sets 6-2, 7-6 7/1 victory over Lilia Biktyakova in the first singles tie. Nirupama Vaidyanathan trounced top rated Uzbek Natilia Nikitina 6-2, 6-0 to give India an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match rubber.

Dingko unbeatable
The bantam weight final at the National Games boxing in Imphal turned out to be a real anti-climax with Dingko Singh8217;s opponent Birju Sah Bihar giving a walk over. The official reason was put as medically unfit8217;.

Punjab in final
Maharashtra stroked out Karnataka to set up a repeat final clash against holders Punjab in the men8217;s competition final in the National Games hockey. Punjab thrashed Tamil Nadu 7-1.