SNBP U-16 Hockey: Army Boys, Dhyanchand, Round Glass, Ritu Rani Reach Semifinals

Pune, 11th October 2024: Winners Army Boys Sports Company along with last-year’s runners-up Dhyanchand Academy, third placed Round Glass Academy along with Ritu Rani Academy moved into the last-4 of the 8th SNBP All India Boys (Under-16) Hockey Tournament at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi-Mhalunge, on Friday.

All quarterfinals were one-sided ending with the opponents beaten fair and square. Round Glass Academy spanked Don Bosco School 11-0, Dhyanchand Academy showed out Chennai XI 6-1, Army Boys Sports Company ended Gockey Andhra Pradesh hopes with a 7-0 win.

Ritu Rani Academy made it to the last-4 without playing after their opponents Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) failed to take the field for their quarterfinal fixture.

In the first quarterfinal of the day, Round Glass Academy spanked Don Bosco School 11-0 to enter the semifinals. The game began with Round Glass Academy dictating play from the opening whistle. Abejit Singh (8’) with a well-placed strike gave his team the lead. Don Bosco School defended resolutely, keeping the scoreline 1-0 for much of the first half, but Arjandeep Singh (33’) added just before the break. At the break, Round Glass Academy led 2-0.

The second-half saw Round Glass Academy dominate as they netted nine times. Arjandeep Singh completed his hat-trick (42’, 57’). Varinder Singh’s brace, included a penalty-corner conversion in the (55’). Jasmeet Singh (39’) and Anurag Singh (41’, 56’) added up before Abhay (53’) and a penalty corner by Harshjot Singh (60’) capped off the dominant performance.

Later, Dhyanchand Academy advanced after both team made even inroads. Dhyanchand Academy had Ravi Rajbhar (20’) convert a penalty corner and give his team the lead. However, Chennai XI hit back when Ajay (23’) scored off a penalty stroke, which remained the scoreline at halftime.

In the second half, Dhyanchand Academy had Suraj Kumar Pal (39’) put Dhyanchand back in the lead. Ravi Rajbhar (46’, 50’) then completed his hat-trick. Pradum Gaund (54’) and Suraj Kumar Pal (58’) completed the 6-1 scoreline thereafter.

In the last quarterfinal, Army Boys Sports Company Bangalore claimed the final last-4 spot with 7-0 victory over Hockey Andhra Pradesh. Arjun was the standout performer, scoring four goals (5’, 8’, 36’, 60’), including two early penalty-corners that set the tone. Shivam Patel (11’) added another, while Poras (40’) and Janit Aiyappa (55’) contributed to the scoreline. By halftime, Army Boys established a 3-0 lead, which they extended with precision in the second-half.

SEMIFINAL LINE UP

SF-1 – Dhyanchand Academy v Round Glass Academy – 2.00 p.m
SF-2- Ritu Rani Academy v Army Boys Sports Company Bangalore – 4.00 p.m

RESULTS

QF-1: Round Glass Academy: 11 (Abejit Singh 8’; Arjandeep Singh 33’,42’, 57’; Varinder Singh 37’ – p.c, 55’; Jasmeet Singh 39’; Anurag Singh 41’, 56’; Abhay 53’, Harshjot Singh 60’ – p.c)  bt Don Bosco School: 0. HT: 2-0

QF-2: Dhyanchand Academy: 6 (Ravi Rajbhar 20’ – p.c, 46’, 50’; Suraj Kumar Pal 39’, 58’; Pradum Gaund 54’) vs Chennai XI: 1 (Ajay 23’ – p.s ). HT: 1-1

QF-3: Ritu Rani Academy bt Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) – failed to take field for match

QF-4: Army Boys Sports Company: 7 (Arjun 5’ – p.c, 8’ – p.c, 36’, 60’; Shivam Patel 11’; Poras 40’; Janit Aiyappa 55’) bt Hockey Andhra Pradesh: 0. HT: 3-0