Gundeep guides SGGS to semis

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 22

Gundeep Singh converted two penalty-corner opportunities as Sri Guru Gobind Singh (SGGS) Club stunned Indian Navy with a 2-1 verdict to become the only local side to qualify for the semifinals of the 2nd Marshal Arjan Singh International Hockey Championship at 3BRD grounds here today.     

In a closely-contested quarterfinal, SGGS scored the first goal in the 8th minute. Gundeep’s attempt was right on target. Indian Navy’s strikers tried hard to find the equaliser. However, in the 50th minute, SGGS earned their second penalty corner, which was again converted by Gundeep to dishearten Indian Navy.

In the 54th minute, Kuldeep pulled off a goal for Indian Navy. However, SGGS maintained their lead till the final whistle to sail into the semis.

In another quarterfinal, Hockey Chandigarh went down fighting against Integral Coach Factory (ICF), losing 5-4. Gurjinder Singh put the local team ahead through a field goal in the 9th minute. However, Shyam Kumar cancelled it out in the 24th minute. The city lads took a two-goal lead when Abhishek Singh netted a stunning field goal in the 18th minute, followed by another strike in the 26th minute. Despite leading 3-1, Chandigarh’s defenders failed to match the pace of the ICF strikers. Deepak scored the second goal for ICF in the 29th minute. In the 36th minute, Gurminder Singh converted a penalty corner to again put the local side in a comfortable position, 4-2 up. However, ICF strikers Ravi Chawdhary (52nd minute, 59th minute) and Suraj Minz (58th minute) scored quick field goals to pull off a 5-4 win.  

In the third quarterfinal, Indian Army outclassed Punjab & Sind Bank 7-2.

Chandan (20th minute, 26th minute) scored two goals, while Siraju Alira (4th minute), Biraj Ekka (22nd minute), David Dung (43rd minute), Rajant Ramdal (47th minute) and Sanjeeb Dung (53rd minute) added one each to the tally.

Ashish Pal Sharma (30th minute) and Prince (57th minute) scored one goal each for Punjab & Sind Bank. In the last quarterfinal, South Central Railway registered a 1-0 win against Indian Air Force. The winning goal came from the stick of Pooncha MG in the 53rd minute.

The semifinal matches of the championship will be played on Wednesday.