The Hindu : Railways meets Orissa in Fed Cup final

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 03, 2004

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Railways meets Orissa in Fed Cup final

By Our Sports Reporter

RAJ NANDGAON, MARCH 2. Pritam Rani Siwach notched up two goals and steered Railways into the final of the seventh Federation Cup women's hockey tournament here on Tuesday.

With youngsters Mamta Kharab and Saba Anjum managing the flanks, Pritam combined with fleet-footed Sanggai Chanu to leave Karnataka in disarray before winning 5-0 in the second semifinal.

In the final on Wednesday, Railways takes on Orissa, which edged past Mumbai 1-0 through Sarita Lakra's debatable goal.

A virtual mismatch had pitted Karnataka against the National champion, Railways. The very idea of facing the champion had forced Karnataka to withdraw its frontline for a defensive field.

Saba attacked from the right flank and Mamta from the other while skipper Sumrai Tete and Masira Surin provided strength to the midfield.

Striker Sanggai raced down the middle in the 16th minute and penetrated right into the scoring area. Four defenders soon crowded Sanggai but she cleared the ball beyond the Karnataka goalkeeper, S.S. Nilan, and then Pritam rushed in to slot in.

Three minutes later, Pritam constructed a good chance with seasoned Manjinder Kaur. However, Saba missed the opportunity. Railways went up in the 24th minute through Surinder Kaur, who chanced on the move set up by Mamta and Sanggai.

The best, however, came two minutes later. Surinder dribbled the ball in the right, trying to create an opening in the centre, but she couldn't find one and drove the ball back to deep defender Suman Bala, who sent a clean pass to Adeline Kerketta in the left flank. Adeline wasted no time as she collected and shot one that went into the roof of the netting.

On changing ends, there was hardly any difference. Saba and Mamta were back in full force, while Pritam would lurk around the scoring area. The same combination sprung into action in the 44th minute after Saba collected the ball from the centre and advanced before Pritam scored her second goal of the match.

And, after having worked hard to put her team on top, Sumrai got her due when she shot from the top of the circle to complete a whitewash.

The results (semifinals): Orissa 1 (Sarita Lakra) bt Mumbai 0; Railways 5 (Pritam Rani Siwach 2, Surinder Kaur, Adeline Kerketta, Sumrai Tete) bt Karnataka 0.

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