EME edge past ASC Jalandhar to retain title

Tribune News Service

A handful of men stood wrapped in their woolens and shawls as they cheered the hockey players in the biting cold in the finale of the 41st GS Bains Liberals All-India Hockey Tournament which concluded here today at Punjab Public School Hockey Ground in Nabha.

Defending champions EME Jalandhar retained the trophy beating ASC Jalandhar 3-1 in almost a one-sided match.

The lush green grounds at Punjab Public School, Nabha, adjoining the bir (forest protected area) that hosts the hockey tournament from the past many years has a unique feel about it. However, a thin crowd to watch the prestigious tournament speaks volumes about the interest of youngsters in the game. Many international players, who had represented India over the past two decades, had played in this prestigious tournament in their initial years. Except officials and teams, no one from the nearby villages had come to watch the closely fought matches with top teams from across the country participating in the tournament.

Interestingly, the same town of Nabha that hosted the World Cup Kabaddi matches earlier this month, had seen an attendance of over 5,000 spectators rushing for the Kabaddi matches. However, hockey, despite being a national sport, has failed to bring in crowds and finding sponsors is also a tough task.

Earlier, in the afternoon, EME Jalandhar was slow to start and could not make any dent in the ASC defence in the initial stage of the first half. The two army teams matched each other with alternate attacks and counter attacks without any success till the 15th minute when ASC created an opening and Amit Saini entered the circle from left flank. Mandeep Singh standing near the goal line received an accurate pass to bang the ball into an open net to put his side 1-0 ahead. As the game progressed, EME gained composure and started raiding their opponents with repeated attacks from the left flank in which Sulendra Munda and Amit Saini played an important role they were ably fed by international centre forward Avtar Singh.

EME equilised in the 28th minute (1-1) with a brilliant effort from nippy forward Shreyas GR who had been scoring consistently during the tournament. Getting hold of the ball near the top of the circle, he dashed past a couple of defenders to place the ball in the net.

Encouraged by the success, EME started to attack vigorously while ASC fell behind to defend their territory. Centre half Avtar Singh was playing at his best and distributed passes to his forwards with uncanny accuracy allowing them to enter the striking circle time and again. In 33rd minute Shreyas GR was once again on target (2-1) after he received a defence splitting pass inside the circle from Avtar Singh. EME made sure of their victory with a goal by Gurjinder Singh who converted a penalty corner in the last minute of the game to emerge worthy 3-1 winners of the liberals trophy.

AS Rai, IPS, Inspector General Police, Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, was the chief guest on the occasion and gave away prizes to the winners and the runners up.