Bombay squeeze into last four stage

CHENNAI, July 22: Punjab and Sind Bank came close to qualifying for the semifinals, but lost out to Mumbai XI on goal difference in the M...

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CHENNAI, July 22: Punjab and Sind Bank came close to qualifying for the semifinals, but lost out to Mumbai XI on goal difference in the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup All India Hockey Tournament here today.

Needing to win by a margin of at least six goals, the bankmen came up trumps against a listless Services winning 6-2, but it was not good enough as Mumbai XI scraped through by a difference of one goal.

Though Mumbai and the Bankmen finished with seven points each from three encounters, the former had a goal difference of plus 11 while the latter finished with a different of plus ten, which titled the scales in favour of the Mumbai team.

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Later, in an inconsequential match, All India Customs and Central Excise compounded the agony of national champions Indian Railways, winning by a comfortable 3-1 margin to finish second in the group.

In the semifinals on Friday, Tamil Nadu will clash with Indian Airlines, while Mumbai will lockhorns with Air-India.

For the bankmen, it was a case of so near yet so far.Ina crucial encounter, much was expected from Services, but it turned out to be an anti-climax. The keeness in the contest which was witnessed in the initial phase in which both the teams shared two goals in the first five minutes, faded out once the bankmen settled down.

Parminder Singh opened the account in the third minute for Bankmen, but Services neutralised within two minutes through Satvir Singh.

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The proficiency in the Bank’s attack exposed the inadequacy of the Services defence as the playmaker, international Baljit Singh Saini, gained the lead in the 11th minute. Sanjeev Kumar consolidated the position as the Bankmen led 4-1 by the 29th minute. Kamal Horo raised hopes of Services fightback reducing the Margin (2-4) four minutes later.

But the Bankmen outplayed their famed rivals scoring in the 17th and 24th minute to complete the rout.

Later, Customs came up with an improvised display and scored in the 23rd minute through Inderjit Chadda and five minutes later Rahul Singh made it 2-0. Afterresumption, Ajinder Pal Singh pulled one back converting a penalty stroke. But Customs sealed the fate of the national champions through Suresh Pereira’s goal in the 33rd minute to finish 3-1.