Air-India suffer stroke, bow out

Air-India suffer stroke, bow out
United News of India

NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 8: Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) downed Air-India (Mumbai) 4-3 to set up a title-clash with Punjab and Sind Bank Academy (PSBA) who stroked out CISF 4-1 via the tie-breaker in the 10th Shastri hockey tournament on Tuesday. The final will be played on Wednesday.

In a thrilling second semi-final Air-India muffed a stroke and were edged out by BPCL. The teams were 2-2 at half-time.

BPCL took an early lead when former international Sabu Varkey deftly struck home in the 6th minute (1-0). Five minutes later right-winger Deepak Sharma increased BPCL's lead as he deflected a square pass from inside forward Rajesh Chauhan (2-0).

Stung by the early reverses, Air-India got into their groove and reduced the margin in the 16th minute through striker Madan Vishwanath who was set up by veteran Darryl D'Souza (1-2). Outside right Kishore Kumar (31st min) restored parity in the when he provided the final touch to an excellent spadework done by Rajesh Chauhan (2-2).

Olympian Sandeep Somesh scored off apenalty corner rebound to make it 3-2 for BPCL. Kishore Kumar again found the target after being set up by Deepak Sharma (3-3). Air-India's joy was shortlived as BPCL struck again in a lightning counter move spearheaded by Sabu Varkey.

Air-India were awarded a stroke in the last minute after Aiyamma put his foot on the ball while rushing out to thwart a penalty corner attempt. The resultant push was scooped out by Kishore Kumar.