Punjab & Sind Bank lift title

Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, October 19

Punjab & Sind Bank, Delhi, won the title of the 36th Indian Oil Servo Surjit Hockey Tournament by beating Indian Oil 6-3 via a penalty shootout and bagged Rs 5.5 lakh where as the runner-up team bagged Rs 2.5 lakh at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium here this evening.

At the end of the stipulated time, both teams were at 2-2. Gaganpreet Singh of Punjab & Sind Bank, Delhi, adjudged best player of the tournament and bagged Rs 51,000 in cash. Earlier, the bank won the title in 2013. Before the match, the Surjit Hockey Society distributed playing kits and hockey sticks among 550 budding players. The first prize of Rs 5.50 lakh was sponsored by Gakhal Brothers, USA.

In the beginning of the match, Indian Oil dominated the first quarter, they took lead in the 4th minute of the game when Roshan Minj scored a field goal (1-0). In the 9th minute, Affan Yusuf consolidated (2-0). The Punjab & Sind Bank dominated the proceeding in the second quarter. They reduced margin in the 22nd minute when Gaganpreet Singh converted a penalty corner (1-2). In 27th minute, bank’s Ashish Pal Sharma equalled the score with a field goal from the pass of Jaskaran Singh (2-2). At half time, both teams were locked at 2-2. In the third quarter, both teams played a controlled game. At the end of the stipulated time, both teams were level at 2-2. A penalty shootout decide the result of the match.

For the bank, Maninderjit Singh, Santa Singh, Gaganpreet Singh and Harmanjit Singh scored the goals. For Indian Oil, only Gurjinder Singh was able to score.