Himachal boys stun Services

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 21

Himachal Pradesh stunned Services Sports Control Board after trailing by three goals, while Punjab & Sind Bank let slip a one-goal advantage to lose on Day 5 of the 9th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship (A Division) in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, today.

In a Pool D match, Punjab & Sind Bank led 2-1 before losing 4-2 against Steel Plant Sports Board. 

Harkawalbir Singh gave Punjab & Sind Bank the lead in the third minute but Nabin Kujur equalised in the ninth minute. Two minutes later, Punjab & Sind Bank again went ahead through Angadbir Singh’s strike. However, Kujur struck two goals in quick succession, in the 27th and 35th minutes to turn the tables on Punjab & Sind Bank. Kujur scored his fourth in the 58th minute to complete the turnaround win.

Vashu magic

In Pool A, Vashu Dev scored a hat-trick as Himachal registered their first victory of the competition as they beat Services Sports Control Board 4-3. 

Himachal made a solid start but a four-minute goal spree saw Services Sports Control Board take a 3-0 lead. Goals from Manip Kerketta (18th minute), captain Rahul Rajbhar (20th minute) and Manjeet (21st minute) pushed Himachal against the wall.

But Charanjeet Singh’s 35th-minute strike triggered a fight-back from Himachal and Dev (53rd, 56th, 58th minutes) scored a hat-trick in six minutes to stun Services Sports Control Board.

Odisha beat SAI

In Pool D’s other match, Odisha beat Sports Authority of India 1-0 to register their second win of the competition. Bhima Ekka scored in the 14th minute as Odisha maintained their hold on top spot in the pool standings. 

In Pool B, Jharkhand also secured their second win of the competition as they hammered The Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd. 4-0. Dodray Susaran (16th, 43rd minutes) scored a brace, while Amardeep Samrat Kujur (23rd minute) and Deepak Soreng (44th minute) scored a goal each.

Maharashtra win

Pool C’s only match of the day saw Maharashtra edge out Karnataka 4-2 and register their first win of the competition. 

Maharashtra scored their first goal in the 11th minute through Aamid Khan, but Karnataka equalised in the 41st minute through NM Surya. 

However, three goals in the space of seven minutes through Aamid Khan (49th, 50th minutes) and Prajwal Mohakar (56th minute) saw Maharashtra stamp their authority on the match.

Karnataka got a consolation goal in the 59th minute through V Suresh.