Hockey: PSPB, RSCB take different routes into semis
Pune, 12th September 2024: Defending champions Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), Services Sports Control Board (SSC), last year’s runners up Railway Sports Promotion Board and Food Corporation of India (FCI) cruised into the semifinals with contrasting wins over their respective opponents in the 4th Hockey India Inter-Department National Championship 2024 at the Major. Dhyanchand Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri on Thursday.
The tournament is being hosted by Hockey Maharashtra and Supported by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
On a day of contrasting results, the day began with the first quarterfinal with Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) having an easy run against Steel Plant Sports Board and winning 6-2 win.
PSPB opened with Rosan Minz (1st) netting the first goal of the day. Thereafter, Services had Talwinder Singh (34th – p.c, 42nd, 44th) take up the scoring netting three, while Yousuf Affan (41st) and Jagwant Singh 55th completed the tally. Steel Plant Sports Board pulled back twice via Sem Munda (11th – p.c) and Abdul Qadir (29th – p.c) which helped lead at the half-way stage.
Later in the second quarter-final, Services Sports Control Board edged out Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) 2-1 and enter the last-four. Services match-winner was struck by Pratap Shinde (39th) off a penalty-corner after Sukhdev Singh (3rd) scored the opening goal and Manish Yadav (12th) levelled scored to end the first half 1-1.
The third quarterfinal had the Railway Sports Control Board fight off a spirited Sports Authority of India 3-2 to advance into the semifinals. RSPBplayed out 15 minutes of the second-half with 10 men after Pardeep Singh received a red card by umpire Harshith AIyappa.
RSCB were off the blocks soon with Shivam Anand (3rd) and Yuvraj Walmiki (19th) converting from the opportunities they received. Between the two goals that RSPB scored SAI cut the margin when Pankaj (8th) converted a penalty-corner which finished the first-half at 2-1.
After resuming for the second half Joginder Singh (53rd – p.c) netted for RSCB to make it 3-1. However, Pankaj (58th – p.c) once again reduced the margin before SAI fell short on time.
The match had Pardeep Singh (RSPB) be shown the red card in the 45th minute of play by umpire Harshith AIyappa.
Food Corporation Of India (FCI) completed the semifinal line-up with a 2-1 over PnB. Paramvir Singh (58th – p.s) and Boby Singh Dhami (59th – p.c) turned heros for FCI with late strikes after PnB had Gursimran Singh (14th – p.c) give the bank men a first-half lead.
RESULTS
Q1: Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB): 6 (Rosan Minz 1st; Talwinder Singh 34th – p.c, 42nd, 44th; Yousuf Affan 41st, Jagwant Singh 55th) bt Steel Plant Sports Board: 2 (Sem Munda 11th – p.c; Abdul Qadir 29th – p.c). HT: 1-2
Q2: Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG): 1 (Manish Yadav 12th) lost to Services Sports Control Board (SSC): 2 (Sukhdev Singh 3rd; Pratap Shinde 39th – p.c). HT: 1-1
Q3: Q3: Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB): 3 (Shivam Anand 3rd; Yuvraj Walmiki 19th; Joginder Singh – 53rd – p.c) bt Sports Authority of India (SAI): 2 (Pankaj 8th – p.c, 58th – p.c). HT: 2-1
Q4: Food Corporation Of India (FCI): (Paramvir Singh 58th – p.s, Boby Singh Dhami 59th – p.c) beat Punjab National Bank (PnB): (Gursimran Singh 14th – p.c; ) HT: 0-1
