News By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Bhopal (RD/CN)
Bhopal, Jul 15: ‘Group D’ qualifiers Mumbai overcame a spirited Punjab 4-2 in an absorbing tie to storm into the semi-finals of the 63rd Rangaswamy Cup Senior National Hockey Championship at the floodlit Aishbagh Stadium here on Wednesday July 14.
Mumbai dominated the match between the former champions but endured a brilliant second half challenge in which Punjab earned all their six penalty corners and a penalty stroke.
Mumbai began with a flourish, using both flanks to good effect, to put Punjab under immediate pressure soon after the start.
With no challenge from Punjab coming forth, Mumbai earned two more penalty corners in quick succession to end the first half without much ado.
After trailing by a goal at half time, Punjab was an improved force in the second half. They added more meaning to their thrusts as they combined well to put the pressure back on a Mumbai side that turned complacent.
High drama followed when Mumbai were awarded a fiftieth minute stroke after Laxman Rao was illegally foiled by the goalkeeper while trying to score. The stroke was hotly disputed by Punjab who threatened a walkout.
Finally, wise counsel prevailed and the Punjab players took the field after ten minutes. Gursev scored with a firm push from the spot to the roof of the net for a 2-1 lead that set the stage for an exciting finish with 20 minutes remaining.
It was an eventful last quarter with Punjab battling hard to keep their hopes alive and Mumbai desperate to hang on to their advantage.
But Mumbai enhanced their lead with Rao firing home off a 53rd minute penalty corner and Jayesh Jadhav making it 4-1 in the 64th after brilliant work by the tireless Vikram Yadav on the left. Soon, the match slipped out of Punjab’s grasp even as they reduced the margin with a 66th minute penalty stroke scored by Karanjeet.
Last year’s runners-up Delhi beat Jharkhand in their concluding league tie to qualify for the quarterfinals from ‘Group A’, while Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) trounced a spirited Orissa 5-3 to qualify from ‘Group H’.