IA beat UP to enter Super League in National Hockey

Jalandhar, Oct 26 (UNI) Star studded Indian Airlines with a number of internationals in their ranks thrashed Uttar Pradesh 7-1 to enter the Super League stage of the Dainik Bhaskar-Tracer 62nd Senior National Hockey Championship.

In today's pre-quarter knockout stage match played at Bhaini Sahib, skipper Samir Dad and Rajnish Mishra scored two goals each for the Airlines. At half time both the teams were tied 1-1.

Indian Airlines who are considered strong contenders for the title, join former champions Services and Tamilnadu in the Super League beginging on September 28 here. Services and Tamilnadu had entered the Super League yesterday through wins over Bengal and Haryana respectively.

IA took an early lead in the 8th minute, when international Dhanraj Pillay latched onto a rebound from a penalty corner and scooped the ball into the net. UP hit back in the 14th minute through Mohsin Sayyad who scored a field goal, to restore parity.

After the breather Indian Airlines went into the attack and in the 40th minute Bimal Lakra struck (2-1) and three minutes later, Samir Dad scored his first goal to make it 3-1. In the 56th minute Airlines consolidated their lead to 4-1, with international Sandeep Micheal scoring a field goal.

In the 60th minute, Rajnish Mishra got his first goal off a penalty corner to make it 5-1. Samir Dad scored his second goal in the 67th minute and in the last minute Mishra again found the mark, converting a penalty corner to round off the tally 7-1.

UNI HS DB PM VV1223