Chandigarh Academy, RCF reach pre-quarters

Chandigarh, Sep 26 (UNI) Chandigarh Hockey Academy and Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala moved into the pre-quarterfinals of the 36th S N Vohra's All India Gurmit Hockey Tournament here today.

Rail Coach Factory, down by an early goal, staged a majestic rally to rout Chandigarh Hockey Association XI by 4-1, while Chandigarh Hockey Academy struggled to get past Signals of Jalandhar by 2-1.

Last time's runners-up Signals were the first to draw the blood by converting a penalty corner in the 35th minute through the stick of Naveen Lakra.

Cheered by their team mates, Chandigarh Hockey Academy struck two goals within ten minutes to clinch the issue in their vfavour.

Chandigarh Academy first restored parity when junior international Simrandeep Singh converted a penalty corner with a direct hit in the 50th minute. In the 65th minute dashing Ranjodh Singh snatched the match-winner with a brilliant solo efforts.

Chandigarh Academy were awarded six penaly corners while Signals got just two.

Chandigarh Academy will now face Oil and Natural Gas Commission in their next encounter.

In the second match, Chandigarh Hockey Association XI raised their hopes for a pre-quarter-final berth as their captain Satbir Singh converted a penalty corner with a hot shot in the fourth minute. Chandigarh XI were able to keep the lead intact in the first half.

However, RFC started playing with more coordination and dominated the second half to pump in four field goals. Man of the match Jarnail Singh accounted for two goals in his team's triumph. He scored his team's third and fourth goals in the 65th and 69th minutes.

Earlier Jasvinder Singh had restored parity in the 41st minute and Yadwinder Singh had given RCF the lead in the 59th minute.

RCF mounted pressure in the first half and eight penalty corners, including six in succession. However, they failed to convert any as Chandigarh XI goalkeeper Pupinder Singh displayed uncanny anticipation to thwart their rivals by padding or palming the shots.

Chandigarh XI converted one penalty corner out of four awarded to them. RCF will now lock horns with former champions and star-studded Punjab Police which did not take part in the last edition.

UNI XC PS DH DB2007