PSB retain Rangaswamy Cup National Hockey title

Jalandhar, Nov 3 (UNI) Punjab and Sind Bank (PSB) outplayed Delhi 3-1 in the final to retain the Rangaswamy Cup National Hockey title at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium here today.

The loss was a big blow to Delhi's aspirations as they had entered the final after a long wait of 60 years.

PSB meant business from the word go and forced their first penalty corner in the third minute. Mandeep Singh took the push and Parminder Singh stopped it for Sharanjit Singh who unleashed a powerful shot but missed the target by more than a yard.

PSB's another move came in the sixth minute when Mandeep Singh sent an immaculate centre to Rajwinder Singh but the latter's shot went wide by a narrow margin. Shortly afterwards, an alert Delhi goalkeeper Jasbir Singh thwarted Mandeep Singh from scoring.

Delhi could not stop the rampaging PSB from surging ahead in the 17th minute. The goal was the result of a combined move among Parminder Singh, Mandeep Singh and Rajwinder Singh, who made amends of his earlier lapses by shooting from the left flank in the far corner of the net with Delhi goalkeeper remaining a mute spectator (1-0).

The goal worked as a tonic for the Punjab and Sind Bank. They were two up after five minutes when Parminder Singh connected a pass from Sandeep Singh. The winners led 2-0 at half time.

Two minutes after resumption, Delhi made a counter attack. But, experienced PSB goalkeeper Teja Singh proved a hard nut to crack denying a Prem Kumar powerful shot after receiving a pass from Parmod Kumar.

Baljit Singh Chandi and Parminder Singh then pierced the Delhi defence with short and quick passes and after doing all spadework passed the ball to Kulwinder Singh who put his seal on the goal (3-0).

Having established a commanding lead, PSB relaxed a bit giving room to Delhi to pull one back in the 59th minute when captain Bikas Toppo made no mistake of a pass from Damandeep Singh.

Delhi manager Ashok Sharma later admitted that PSB played a better game and deserved the victory.

Despite a well-deserved win, PSB coach Olympian Rajinder Singh was not fully satisfied with the margin of victory as he said ''I had expected a verdict by at least six goals. We missed several chances. However, my boys deserved all the praise for retaining the trophy despite a few top players shifting their allegiance to other organisations.'' Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil was the chief guest and distributed the prizes.

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