Airlines to clash with PSB for Babu Hockey title tomorrow

Lucknow, Feb 24 (UNI) Last year's runners up Indian Airlines will clash with Punjab and Sindh Bank, Jalandhar in the final of All India K D Singh Babu Memorial Hockey Tournament here tomorrow.

In the semi-finals played today, Airlines pipped Punjab National Bank, New Delhi 3-2 in a gripping clash, while PSB edged out fancied Namdhari XI 2-1 in another pulsating clash.

Airlines boasting former international stars in Dhanraj Pillay, Sameer Dad and Brojen Singh defeated PNB through the golden goal of captain Dad in the 75th minute.

The bankers took the lead through a field goal by Sukh Pal Singh in the 6th minute, but the scores were levelled by Ailrines with the short corner strike of Lazrus Barla. The PNB side again went ahead in the 20th minute through the field goal of Satish Toppo, but the Airlines captain equalised with a field goal in 30th minute.

After the second half which went goaless, the match was decided by golden goal of Dad in the 75th minute.

In the other semi-final PSB defeated Namdahri XI 2-1, with Namdharis drawing first blood in the 20th minute through the penalty corner conversion of Gurpreet Singh. The PSB struck back in the 27th and 48th minute through goals by skipper Ajit Pal Singh and Kuljindar Singh.

The final takes place tomorrow at the Dhyan Chand Stadium.

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