It's hardly been a smooth ride for Indian Airlines

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE, APRIL 11. Indian Airlines seems to have got into a `rough take-off' mode in its matches in the U & I Trophy hockey tournament currently on at the Karnataka State Hockey Association stadium.

On Monday, Indian Airlines had to overcome a 0-2 deficit against Karnataka before emerging winner, and today, it had all but lost its match against Bharat Petrochemical Corporation Limited, trailing 1-3, before clawing back to settle for a 3-3 draw.

BPCL must be ruing the result of its fixture against Indian Airlines. A win here would have ensured a berth in the semifinal, but now three teams from Pool A are still in the hunt. Indian Airlines, BPCL and Punjab & Sind Bank are all in the reckoning for qualification into the next round.

Indian Airlines made the first incisive move in the ninth minute when Prabodh Tirkey's free hit was neatly trapped by Samir Dad and steered into the BPCL goal. With both teams playing fast- paced hockey, a collective groan went up in the stadium when in the next minute, Amar Aiyammma failed to trap a cross.

But BPCL fought back. In the 18th minute, off its very first penalty corner, Sandeep Somesh's push was relayed to A. Raghuvamshi and he struck the ball in cleanly. This proved an elixir for BPCL, and three minutes before the first half, Sabu Varkey latched on to a Ravi Naicker cross to get the better of Asish Ballal.

BPCL's third goal was a beauty. Amar Aiyamma retrieved the ball from the line and back passed to K.T. Mohan, who took a clear shot at the goal and made no mistake.

By this time, Indian Airlines was in dire straits. Ballal was replaced by Jagadish Ponappa in goal and the situation needed immediate remedial measures. Indian Airlines got a lucky break when BPCL Jude Menezes and a couple of defenders fouled in the 55th minute. The resultant penalty stroke, awarded by Mohammed Muneer, was sent home by Samir Dad.

Airlines got pepped up at this point seeing that the deficit was just a solitary goal. And four minutes before the final whistle, Prabodh Tirkey capitalised on a penalty corner and slammed in the equaliser. The fact that Indian Airlines was under tremendous pressure was evident when Mukesh got a yellow card and even manager Subbaiah was handed out a green card by Mohammed Muneer.

Earlier, in another Pool A fixture, Punjab & Sind Bank combined well to defeat Karnataka 3-0 to gain its second straight victory. Baljit Singh Saini came up trumps off a penalty corner in the 21st minute to signal the lead for PSB.

The fifth penalty corner, earned three minutes before the first siren, saw Sandeep Seep pounce on the rebound from Bharath Chetri (taken by Rajender Singh) and direct the ball into the goal. PSB made the margin 3-0 when Parminder Singh grasped the ball during a goalmouth skirmish. With goalkeeper Bharath Chetri flat on his back, Parminder had no difficulty in notching up the third goal.

IHF Juniors rounded off its league engagements with an all-win record, defeating Indian Army 2-1. Army XI grabbed the lead in the 10th minute with Cyprian Aind scoring. But Jugraj Singh, the top-scorer in this tournament now, executed a drag flick off the second penalty corner to restore parity for IHF Juniors.

In the second half, Vijay Alphons crossed the ball to Inderjit Chaddha, who essayed a sliding deflection into the Army goal. IHF had already assured itself of a place in the last four and faces the second-ranked team from Pool A in the semifinals.

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