Nehru Senior hockey gets off to a rousing start

New Delhi: The SNBP 61st Nehru Senior Hockey Tournament got off to a rousing start with Punjab and Sind Bank (PSB) and National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) of Sports Authority of India (SAI), New Delhi crossing their first hurdles in contrasting styles.

Shivaji Stadium came alive when Olympian Allosius Edward-trained PSB (Jalandhar) trailing 1-3 in the 40th minute drew level with ITBP through two quick goals in the last quarter and prevailed upon in the penalty shootout out 4-3. In the shootout too PSB were falling back 1-3 at one stage.

In the earlier match, NCOE downed Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) comprising Income Tax players 6-2. Lisham Max Singh of Manipur (3 goals) and Prabhdeep were the heroes.

PSB owed their victory to hardworking winger Sukhwinder. They could have won the match in the third quarter but for Jaskaran faltering on two occasions.

In the shootout too, PSB, comprising mostly students of DAV and Khalsa Colleges, came from being 1-3 down to convert next three attempt while ITBP faltered on two occasions with Taranjot hitting out and Ashish failing to beat Himmat under the PSB bar.

PSB scored through Jaskaran (through a penalty stoke) after Karan Singh was blocked by ITBP goalkeeper Vatandeep, Sukhwinder, Gautam Pal Singh and Sunil.

Shubham, Vijay Gond and Rahul Yadav scored for ITBP in the shootout.

In the regulation period, Taranjot, Rahul Yadav and M Dinachandras were among goal-scorers for ITBP while Sunil, Gurmail and Sukhwinder were among goals for PSB. But for Jaskaran faltering twice bankmen could have bagged the match in the third quarter itself. It was a final in the first round.

The NCOE rode to victory courtesy winger Prabhjeet Singh and Lisham Max Singh. The latter scored a goal in each of the first two quarters converting two penalty corners before deflecting a brilliant shot by skipper Sachin into the post a minute before the final gong in fourth quarter.

Prabhdeep, who had a brilliant match and scored once each in third and fourth quarter, carried the match on his shoulders. He was the Man of the Match. Captain Sachin who missed a sitter in the first quarter compensated by making it 3-0 at the beginning of third quarter.

Most of the thrill of match was packed in the third quarter when Nitin Kumar Nandannoori and Pranam Gowda brought the score to 2-4 for CBDT team in quick succession. 

Gowda's scoop into the net following a penalty corner was a sheer beauty.

CBDT started well but their forwards were goal shy. On the other hand, twice CBDT goalkeeper effected good saves off Prabhdeep and Sachin moves.

Centre of Excellence team is trained by Mohammed Anwar and Abhishek at the National Stadium under Sports Authority of India.

The tournament was inaugurated by Mr Sushil Kumar Madhuk, Chief Commissioner Income Tax, Ahmedabad region while Dr Satyapal Singh Meena, Addl DG  Income Tax, New Delhi and Dr Harpreet Kaur, Principal Mata Sundri College,  University of Delhi were the Guests of Honours.

Tags : Shivaji Stadium, Nehru Hockey, Punjab and Sind Bank, SAI, Income Tax