Punjab Police, Indian Oil complete semi final line up

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) Former champion Punjab Police and star studded Indian Oil scored hard fought victories over their rivals to to set up a semi final clash in the 43rd Nehru Hockey tournament here today.

Punjab police struck once in each half to overpower Punjab National Bank (PNB) 2-0 while Indian Oil waged a grim battle to oust Border security Force (BSF) Jalandhar 2-1.

Namdhari XI will take on Bharat Petroleum in the other semi final.

In a fast paced quarter final, Punjab Police dominated the procedings but had a tough time in breaking into the crowded defence of the PNB.

The Bank boys battled it out spiritedly but could not convert the chances that came their way.

The Police men struck in the 11th minute when Satwinder Singh cut through the rival defence to shot home a beautiful goal.

The Punjab Cops got few more chances in this session but they failed to make use of them.

Four minutes into the second session, Punjab Police consolidated the lead when Gagandeep Singh caught the rival defenders napping to shot home(2-0).

The Bank boys tried to put pressure on their more experienced rivals but they lacked the accuracy and fumbled in the circle. The Police men should have won by bigger margin but for the missed chances.

In the last quarter finals,IndianOil, having several Olympians and Internationals in their ranks had to sweat it out before edging out determined BSF.

Olympian Deepak Thakur struck for the Oli men in the 20th minutes as Indian Oil went in the breather leading 1-0.

The Security men played aggressively in the second session and within seven minutes of the play of this half drew equaliser through Mandeep Singh Saini who suprised the rival defenders as he sent the ball home (1-1).

After that it was a keen tussel between the two teams as they dished out an absorbing display of fast hockey.

The Oil men struck again in the 60th minute and this time it was Deedar Singh who provided them with the winning lead. The former Namdhari XI player scored off a penalty corner to make it 2-1 and for the remaining ten minutes Indian Oil defended their citadel as most of their players fell back to crowd the defence making it difficult for the security men to get into the congested circle area.

The two semi finals are slated to be played tommorrow. In the other semi final, Namdhari XI will take on Bharat Petroleum.

UNI HSB SAM HT1754