The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Namdhari XI outplays BSF

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Monday, Mar 12, 2007
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Namdhari XI outplays BSF

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: With a clear target in sight, Namdhari XI virtually went through a target practice, as it outplayed Border Security Force (BSF) 7-1 to move into the semifinals of the third all-India Oriental Bank Maharaja Ranjit Singh hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium here on Sunday.

After Indian Airlines had humbled the leader in Group I, Indian Oil, 2-1 earlier in the afternoon, the Namdhari team needed to win by a four-goal margin to make the grade on the basis of more goals scored.

In the event, Namdhari XI ensured that there was no anti-climax in the eventual mathematical calculations as it breezed home with a six-goal margin against a hapless opposition that lacked any sense of direction.

Three teams had finished with four points each, and the star-studded Indian Airlines was left to lick its wounds with an inferior goal-difference of two, while Indian Oil and Namdhari XI mad the knock-out with superior goal-difference of eight and four respectively.

Gurpreet Singh (2), Karamjit Singh (2), Anmolak Singh, Gurvinder Singh and Jatinder Pal Singh were the marksmen for the Namdhari team that led 3-1 at the interval.

Mandeep Singh had fetched the equaliser for 1-1 in the 16th minute, but thereafter BSF was busy defending its goal, albeit without much success.

It has to be conceded that a couple of goal-line saves by Birender Guria and John Jojo helped BSF avoid further damage to its spoilt reputation.

Earlier, Usaf-ur Rehman set the tempo for Indian Airlines with a goal midway through the first half. Indian Oil equalised through Jaswinder Singh in the 49th minute, but Birender Lakra fetched the match-winner about ten minutes later.

The team's happiness of winning its second match following its triumph over BSF was short lived, as the Namdhari XI pulled through with ease.

In the eventual analysis, what clinched the issue for Namdhari XI was its 3-2 victory over Indian Airlines in its opening match.

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