Air India held 2-2 by Punjab Police

Mumbai, Apr 10 (UNI) Air India were today held to a 2-2 draw by Punjab Police in a group 'D' encounter of the 46th All India Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mahindra stadium here today.

In another Group 'D' encounter, Pamposh XI drubbed the local Indian Navy side 4-2 after being tied 2-2 at the break.

Air India took the lead through their penalty corner specialist Len Aiyappa in the 16th minute. The lead was, however, short lived as Jaskaran Singh (jr) with a field goal in the 23rd minute restored parity.

The teams, which went into half time at 1-1, saw the airmen take the advantage when Len Aiyappa converted another penalty corner 10 minutes into the second half to put them 2-1 up.

However, Punjab Police once again came back strongly with Gabbar Singh finding the equaliser in the 54th minute.

Air India tried to find the winner, but Punjab Police defence denied them and both teams had to be satisfied with a point each.

In the other match, Pamposh XI took a 2-0 lead by the 14th minute with goals from Dhyanchand Munda and Dilip Kerketta, but the Indian Navy side came back strongly as they scored through Surendra Kumar in the 29th minute and the skipper Manoj Lokhande at the stroke of half time to put the match in balance again with the teams going into half time at 2-2.

In the second half, however Pamposh XI piled on the pressure outplaying the Indian Navy outfit as Dilip Kerketta getting his brace in the 43rd minute and Sanjay Ekka completing the scoring with a brilliant field goal in the 54th minute to give Pamposh XI a well deserved win.

In Group 'D' now Air India is leading with 4 points from two matches, while Pamposh XI has three points from two games. Punjab Police and Indian Navy who look to be out of the race have two and one point respectively. Only one team from the group would go ahead into the semifinals with Air India taking on Indian Navy, while Punjab Police clashing with Pamposh XI in the other tie.

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