SAI get back to winning ways

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 21

Ajay Yadav struck twice to help Sports Authority of India (SAI), Lucknow, register a 3-2 win over Army XI and get back to the winning ways on the eighth day of the 55th Nehru Senior Hockey Tournament at the Sector 42 Sports Complex, here, on Wednesday. 

SAI men took the lead in the eighth minute, when Dhananjay Yadav successfully converted a penalty corner. Ajay sounded the wooden plank 10 minutes later to make it 2-0 for the side. 

Army XI tried hard to draw level but failed to penetrate the SAI defence in the remaining minutes of the opening half. 

After the break, Army XI made regular forays into the SAI half. Their efforts finally met success when Pawel Lakra struck in the 57th minute.

Buoyed by Lakra’s effort, Army XI drew level four minutes later when Jonny Jasrotia beat the SAI custodian on the penalty stroke.    

SAI men, however, scored in 66th minute to regain the lead — Ajay successfully converting the penalty stroke to help the team seal a 3-2 win.

SAI had lost 8-1 to Punjab & Sind Bank in their previous outing on Monday.

Railways men impress

In the second match, Pratap Lakra (13th), Sayyad Niyaz Rahim (33rd), Rajin Kandulna (43rd) and Amol Mirash Tirkey (55th) scored a goal each to guide Indian Railways to a 4-2 win over Punjab National Bank (PNB) after Sukhjeet had put the bankers ahead in the ninth minute of the of the game. Gagandeep scored the second goal for PNB in the 51st minute.

Railways had registered a 4-1 win over Army XI on Monday.