Sukhjeet, Jen Singh score as PNB beat SGGS 8-3

CHANDIGARH:Sukhjeet and N Jen Jen Singh scored a brace each as Punjab National Bank (PNB) drubbed Sri Guru Gobind Singh (SGGS) Club 8-3 in the ongoing 47th SN Vohra’s All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament (A Grade), at the Sector 42 Sports Complex, here, on Wednesday.

Players vie for the ball during a match between IAF and EME at the Sector 42 Sports Complex on Wednesday. Vicky

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 10

Sukhjeet and N Jen Jen Singh scored a brace each as Punjab National Bank (PNB) drubbed Sri Guru Gobind Singh (SGGS) Club 8-3 in the ongoing 47th SN Vohra’s All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament (A Grade), at the Sector 42 Sports Complex, here, on Wednesday.

PNB took the lead through a penalty corner conversion by Bhagt Singh in the 13th minute and two minutes later, Jen Singh doubled the lead for the side.

Lagging PNB by two goals, SGGS made a change in their strategy — while the two strikers kept the PNB defenders on toes, the full-backs overlapped wingers to exert more pressure. The change worked as Gursewak struck in the 19th minute to reduce the deficit.

SGGS men, however, could not hold their positions for long and PNB strikers after a brief struggle managed to extend their lead to 3-1, with Sanjay striking in the 35th minute.

Five minutes later, Sukhjeet scored his first goal through a penalty corner. Gagandeep extended the PNB tally to 5-1 in the 49th minute, while Sukhjeet completed his brace in the 54th minute.

Jen Singh scored his second goal of the match in the 60th minute to widen the gap further.

SGGS men put up a brave face and scored a couple of quick goals through Gursewak in the 62nd and 64th minute, but their effort meant little as PNB pumped in another goal in the 68th minute to complete a comprehensive victory.

Daman shines for IAF

In the second match, Indian Air Force (IAF) came from behind to beat Indian Army Corps of EME 3-2.

EME took the lead in the 32nd minute — Mandeep Singh breaking the deadlock with a brilliant field goal.

As IAF men tried to settle after conceding the goal, PH Biju Singh added to their misery with another strike for EME in the 35th minute.

With their side 2-0 up, EME fortified their defence and repelled the IAF attack until a small breach allowed the latter to open their account in the 58th minute — Daman scoring from a penalty corner.

Harwant scored a minute later to help IAF draw level, while Daman struck again in the 61st minute to put the side ahead. IAF then maintained the slender lead till the final whistle to win 3-2.