Sport   

IOC has it easy against AP

Sports Reporter

Hockey /Race for quarterfinal spots hots up

MIDFIELD ACTION: AP’s Krishna Kisore (right) tries a desperate block to thwart IOC’s Jagwant at the YMCA ground on Wedneday.

CHENNAI: The battle for a quarterfinal berth hots up from Thursday in four Pools — ‘A’, ‘C’, ‘E’ and ‘G’ — in the St. Joseph’s-TNHA junior National men’s hockey championship.

The fate of six teams — Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Air India, Namdhari, Mizoram, Haryana — could be decided on Thursday. For the host it could be a do or die situation.

Tamil Nadu will take on Bihar. Both the teams are so far undefeated, and a win will be very crucial for both.

One of the tough outfits in the championship, IOC continued its unbeaten run in Pool ‘G’ with a 5-0 win over Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday at YMCA College of Physical Education.

With the wings co-ordinating impeccably and the midfield playing its role to perfection, IOC had the lion’s share of possession. It was pleasing to see the IOC boys breaking AP’s defence at will. Sashi Topno deflected home Kulbushan’s free hit in the 15th minute. A couple of minutes later, Diwakar Ram scored off a rebound off the goalkeeper’s pads in a penalty corner conversion. Diwakar’s second goal was a withering shot, off a penalty corner.

It took quite a long while (almost 24 minutes later) for IOC to hit the bull’s eye in the second half. Ranjodh Singh’s scored from a fine shot on the run from the far right. Kulbushan later completed the tally for the winners.

What was expected to be a keenly contested match between contender Air India and Delhi at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium turned out to be scrappy and mediocre. The goalless draw was not what the crowd expected. Neither side could convert the few chances that came their way.

The fact that the championship is nearing the knock-out stage clearly showed as big margin wins, like in the previous two days, was missing. The biggest goal-margin difference came in the contest between Namdhari and Kerala, which the former won 9-0.

For Mizoram, one of the three Northern States in the tournament, it might be a red letter day if reaches the last eight.

The results:

Stories in this Section



Wimbledon, still the biggest prize in the game
Federer, Henin are top seeds; Paes-Damm pair seeded five
IOC has it easy against AP
Tara confident of building on her maiden ITF title
Chetan, Jwala, Shruthi attend camp
Prathamesh Mokal is the new National ‘B’ champion


Cricket

Indian team arrives in Belfast
Panesar breaks into top-10
Keep players’ mind fresh, says Aussie coach
Sandeep bags five wkts.
Canara Bank in final
Edwards fined for swearing


Tennis

Canas upset; Henin, Mauresmo advance


Basketball

State basketball from June 28
Selva squeaks past Senthil
AG Tamil Nadu beats AG Kerala
MCA website


Golf

Tough transportation challenge for S. Africa


Olympic Games

Manda Snigdha bags scholarship


Racing : Horse

Confident Victory impresses
Sugar Blaze shines


Sports : General

Prasanna shocks Nikhat Bhanu
KSLTA to make a strong bid
Mauresmo set to defend title
Sub-junior national from today
Mohd. Nissar Trophy in September


Volleyball

India loses to Iran


Cycling

Cyclists told to sign anti-doping text

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu