PSB enter semis, Haryana men go down to AISPB

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 30

Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) beat Hockey Karnataka to seal a spot in the 10th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2020 (A Division) semifinals at Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Jhansi today.

After the two sides failed to break the deadlock in the first-half, the bankers struck twice in the third quarter with Prabhdeep Singh scoring the opening goal in the 36th minute and Parvinder Singh doubling the tally seven minutes later. The side then held the lead to seal a 2-0 win.

In the semifinals, the bankers will meet Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), who edged out The Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd 1-0 in the quarters.

The SSCB took the lead in the 4th minute and thereafter guarded their fort till the end to move into the last-four. Jugraj Singh scored the lone goal of the match.

In another quarterfinal match, Talwinder Singh scored a brace as Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) beat Hockey Unit Of Tamil Nadu 2-1.

The PSPB took the lead in the 34th minute but Tamil Nadu drew level eight minutes later through Selvaraj Kanagaraj. Talwinder then converted a penalty corner for the PSPB in the 56th minute to guide his team into the semis where they will meet Air India Sports Promotion Board (AISPB).

The AISPB overcame Hockey Haryana 2-1 in a high octane quarterfinal tie. Haryana took the lead in the 7th minute through Pankaj, but the AISPB equalised through Joginder Singh in 13th minute.

Haryana then conceded a penalty stroke in the 54th minute and Joginder made no mistake as he helped his team seal the match 2-1.

The semifinals will be played on Saturday.