In an inconsequential Pool B fixture, Army XI, trailing by one goal, prevailed over an off colour Punjab and Sind Bank 3-1. The bankmen have already qualified for the semi-finals with nine points from four matches in their group league.

Air-India matched the mighty Punjab Police, studded with a number of Olympians and internationals, in all departments of the game. The teams shared six goals till the 49th minute before Punjab Police scored three in quick succession, through Sarabjit Singh Sarpanch (50th), Daljit Singh (56th) and Manpreet Singh (65th minutes).

Earlier, Punjab Police forced two penalty corners in the first ten minutes. These proved abortive.Their efforts were rewarded in the 11th minute when inside-right Daljit Dhillon converted a penalty corner with a hard drive. The lead was shortlived as Air-India equalised in the next minute through speedy centre-forward Gagan Ajit Singh who entered the striking circle before scoring with a fine flick.

Punjab Police counter-attacked and again forged ahead in the 20th minute through Daljit Singh Dhillon. In a retaliatory move, Gagan Ajit Singh was again on the target in the 29th minute to end the half 2-2.

On resumption Punjab Police again took the lead through skipper Sarbjit Singh who converted a penalty corner in the 37th minute. A brilliant field goal by Edward Arhana off a pass from Gagan Ajit Singh in the 40th minute helped Air-India restore balance. Punjab Police then fired in three goals within a span of 15 minutes to oust Air India from the competitions.

Shahabad in semifinal New Delhi: DAV Senior Secondary School (Shahabad) defeated Sat Guru Pratap Academy (Ludhiana) 2-0 to grab the lastsemi-final spot in the Nehru-ONGC sub-junior hockey tournament at the National Stadium here today. Earlier, BAV Inter College from Meerut thrashed Adarsh Vidyalaya (Varanasi) 4-1.

They will take on Birsamunda Vidyapeeth (Rourkela) in the first semi-final tomorrow while the Shahabad team will clash with St Ignatius High School from Gumla in the other semis.

Manpreet Singh (Sr) put the DAV team ahead in the 32nd minute with a crisp shot from close but their second goal came few minutes before close when Gurcharan Singh struck. But for these opportunities, the team spilled a few other chances.

Ludhiana boys, more keen to defend, failed to give a good account of themselves as they indulged in wild hittings and aimless shots.

In contrast was the first game which the Meerut boys won handsomely. Though the Meerut team had the upperhand throughout the match, the Varanasi boys gave their rivals some anxious momements with clean passes and quick movements through the flanks.

In fact, the Varanasi boys tookthe lead in the 18th minute when Tushar made most of a cross from left. But even as they were celebrating the goal, off a counter-attack Gagan Srivastava sounded the board within the next two minutes to restore parity. Jagdish Yadav made it 2-1 as the team went for a breather.

On return, the Meerut boys seemed to have gained in confidence and it was evident the way they passed and attacked. Yet, the goal eluded them as the forwards could not finish after being put in possession. However, in the 41stt minute Gaurav Baradwaj made it 3-1 and within two minutes Imtiaz Ahmed struck for the team's fourth goal.

The Varanasi boys were left with no option but watch helplessly their rivals score more freely in this session though they had packed the defence with more boys. Some counter-attacks by them was of no avail as it prompted the Meerut outfit tighten its defence. And whatever little gaps the Meerut boys had left, the Adarsh Vidyalaya boys could not make use of them as their forward-line lacked the sting.