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Air-India makes it a one-sided final

Sports Reporter

Punjab and Sind Bank beats TN, finishes third

— Photo: M. Vedhan

FLYING HIGH: The Air-India team, which won the St. Joseph’s-TNHA junior National men’s hockey championship on Saturday.

CHENNAI: The famous Punjab josh was missing; in fact, it was Air-India’s technical superiority that shone throughout in the St. Joseph’s-TNHA junior National men’s hockey championship final at the Mayor Radhakrishn an Stadium on Saturday.

After its beautifully-orchestrated win over PSB, much was expected from Punjab. Air-India coach Mohd. Moonis, however, told his boys not to get intimidated and play their natural game. The boys did that to near-perfection. The one-sided (5-0) title win for Air-India is its first victory in the junior Nationals.

There were concerns about Air-India’s midfield and frontline — the defence was doing its job quite well — and how the two would co-ordinate especially after its unimpressive win over Tamil Nadu. All doubts were laid to rest with a performance that was top class.

Hardly had the teams warmed up than Air-India opened its account. Arjun Antil deflected in an Ashish Minz’s backhander from the left. Punjab seemed to be still in a slumber.

Deep defender Innocent Kullu set up the second goal. Vinod Kumar’s blinder from the top of the circle gave Gurnam Singh, the hero against PSB, literally no chance. Pramod Dhir’s sweep off a penalty corner was quite efficiently deflected by captain Danish Mujtaba to make it 3-0 at half-time.

Punjab’s Navjot Singh, who had been good with his dribbles and run-ins from the right, failed to find his rhythm. Sanjay Kumar Bhir and Deepak Sharma hardly produced any worthwhile move inside the circle.

Meanwhile, Ashish Minz’s chancy backhander from the edge of the circle increased the margin, and there were hardly any celebrations from him or his teammates giving an indication of the nature of the contest.

In the play-off for third place, Punjab and Sind Bank defeated Tamil Nadu 5-2. PSB led 2-0 at half-time.

Mr. Manoharan, who was the chief guest, gave away the prizes. The winner and runner-up received the St. Joseph’s Trophy and Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 30,000 respectively.

The names of the 46 probables selected for the eight-nation tournament in Germany and for the junior World Cup, will be announced within a week, according to K. Jothikumaran, Secretary, Indian Hockey Federation.

The results: Final: Air-India 5 (Arjun Antil 2, Vinod Kumar, Danish Mujtaba, Ashish Minz) bt Punjab 0.

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