The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : SAI defeats SBI

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Saturday, Apr 09, 2005

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Sport - Hockey

SAI defeats SBI

HYDERABAD, APRIL 7. Sports Authority of India (STC, Secunderabad) recorded a 3-2 win against State Bank of India in the round-robin league of the A division super league hockey tournament for men at Begumpet Police Stadium here today.

The SAI outfit shot into the lead in the fourth minute when striker M.A. Aleem latched on to a loose ball on the left flank, dribbled his way into the striking zone and essayed a neat carpet drive.

Even before the Bank outfit could recover from this blow, winger Prasanna Kumar enhanced the lead in the seventh minute with some intelligent stickwork hoodwinking the defence. Seasoned campaigner, centre-forward Haranath Reddy pulled one back with a lovely effort in the ninth minute. But it was apparent that in the hot and humid conditions, the Bank team was bound to struggle to match the speed and stamina of the young players from SAI Hostel team.

And not surprisingly, it was SAI which shot into the lead again when forward Rajasekhar was spot on with another field goal. However, when it looked SAI would finish off with a more convincing win, luck smiled on the Bankmen when the penalty-corner hit taken by Jude Lazarus deflected off a defender's legs forcing the referee to point to the `spot'. Gyan Chand duly converted it.

Though the Bank forwardline of Haranath Reddy, Gyan Chand and Jude Lazarus did make concerted efforts in the final minutes, they were kept at bay by the efficacy of SAI defenders to see their team emerge winner.

In all, SAI earned eight penalty-corners, while SBI got five.

This was SAI's second win in as many matches and the second consecutive defeat for the Bankmen. — Our Sports Reporter

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