The Hindu : Sport : Delhi baulks Air-India, enters last four

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Wednesday, Nov 01, 2006
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Delhi baulks Air-India, enters last four

S. Thyagarajan

Namdhari XI, Punjab and Sind Bank and Indian Oil advance

PHOTO: PTI

FIGHITNG FOR POSSESSION: Delhi's superlative performance had Air-India on the mat in the quarterfinal match of the National championship.

Jalandhar : Whether it is a genuine signal for a new power alignment, or just a sporting aberration only time will tell. But it is indisputable that Delhi's entry into the semifinals on Tuesday and Namdhari XI's on Monday evening brings in a breath of fresh air into the Dainik Bhaskar-Tracer Shoes National hockey championship.

Delhi conquered Air-India on Tuesday by a comfortable 3-1 margin. For an outfit that was stretched to the limit by Mumbai on Monday, the display was refreshing, and even inspirational in spells.

The flair and fervour of the Delhi was enough to subdue the wobbling Air-India defence. The first goal surfaced in the third minute. An impeccable drag flick by Jitendra Sharda beat goalkeeper Gurpreet lock, stock and barrel.

The frontline threaded several intricate forays, thanks to the incisive runs by Bikash Topno. The diminutive skipper figured prominently almost in every raid. Support came in adequate measure from Damandeep Singh and Promod Kumar.

Harvinder shines

In the mid-field, Harvinder Singh not only baulked Air-India from getting a trace of ascendancy, but also distributed the ball with imagination. The adroit free hit that he executed shortly after the break to put Topno in position for a flick in was the high point of the match. Topno just steered the ball into the boards.

Delhi's third goal midway through, too was a superlative one. Initiated by Topno, who surged in with a fluent run, the move culminated in Pramod Kumar directing the ball into the boards.

It was indeed appropriate that Lugun, the best Air-India attacker on view, should get the only goal the team netted late in the second session.

The goal infused pep into Air-India, triggering hectic activity in the rival area. It was at this point that Delhi lost focus. A speck of rough play by Damandeep Singh earned him a red card from umpire Satinder Kumar. The badly injured Parveen Kumar had to be stretchered out for medical attention in a semi-conscious state.

Railways downs TN

After a listless start, the Railway-Tamil Nadu encounter in Pool B came to life in the second after Deepak put the former ahead with a lovely reverse flick. Then Tamil Nadu had everything rolling its away but failed to find the mark. What was expected to be the key contest of the competition turned out to be a consolation encounter when Punjab prevailed over Indian Airlines by the odd goal in three.

Wednesday will be a rest day.

Separate format

The IHF President, K.P.S. Gill, admitted a need for reviewing the current format of the National championship. At a meeting with the media, Mr. Gill said the IHF would convene a general body meeting to discuss the issues relating to the new format.

Semifinal line up: Indian Oil v Punjab and Sind Bank; Namdhari XI v Delhi.

The results: Pool C: Delhi 3 (Jitender Sharda, Dikash Topno, Pramod Kumar) beat Air-India 1 (Brund Lugun) HT 1-0; Pool B: Railways 1 (Deepak) beat Tamil Nadu 0; HT-0-0; Pool A: Punjab 3 (Jarnail Singh, Amit Singh) beat Indian Airlines 1 (Brojen Singh) HT 2-0.

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