Air India pull off a thrilling win

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 18

Air India beat Punjab & Singh Bank 3-2 in the ongoing 55th Nehru Senior Hockey Championship at the Sector 42 Sports Complex. Abharan Sudev, Raheel Mohammed and Arjun Sharma scored one goal each for Air India, while Gaganpreet Singh scored a brace for the bankmen. 

Air India earned their first penalty corner in the eighth minute and Sudev sounded the wooden plank to get an early lead. Before the Punjab & Singh Bank team could react, Mohammed doubled the lead in the ninth minute. In the 16th minute, Air India earned their second penalty corner which was successfully converted by Arjun. Down three goals, Punjab & Singh Bank tried hard to make a comeback but the Air India defenders thwarted all attacks.

In the 42nd minute, Punjab & Singh Bank got the first opportunity to reduce the margin through their first penalty corner. Gaganpreet converted to make it 1-3. In the 60thminute, Gaganpreet converted the second penalty corner. Air India maintained the one goal lead to move ahead in the championship. 

In the second match, CAG XI played out a 2-2 draw against Mumbai XI. CAG took the lead through a field goal by Ehtesham Khan in the 18th minute. But Mumbai's Devinder Walmiki scored through a penalty corner in the 21st minute. CAG managed to score their second goal in the 25th minute as Chandan Singh's shot found the right corner of the goal. However, their joy was short-lived as Yuvraj Walmiki equalised for Mumbai XI in the 55th minute though a stunning goal.