The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Railways downs PEPSU

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 05, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Railways downs PEPSU

Principal Correspondent

Railways scored at will
Bombay pounded Andhra Pradesh 7-0

JALANDHAR: Railways skipper Surinder Kaur and striker Saba Anjum shared seven goals amongst themselves as the defending champion overwhelmed PEPSU, the Patiala and East Punjab States’ Union, 9-2, in a Pool A league match in the 55th Rakshak women’s National hockey championship here on Monday.

Saba opened the scoring before Surinder showed her characteristic touch upfront. With as many as 14 India players in its side, Railways scored at will at the Surjit Memorial stadium in Burlton Park.

But the two goals from PEPSU also underlined the drawbacks of complacency.

Saba strikes

Saba put Railways ahead in the third minute and then Jasjeet Kaur tapped in a pass from Surinder to make it 2-0 in the seventh minute.

Just as Railways relaxed a bit, PEPSU created chances and converted one in the 19th through Poonam Giri.

That goal woke Railways up as the 21-time champion went on the overdrive.

Saba struck soon after and Surinder opened her account in the 24th as Railways improved its lead (4-1).

Two minutes later, on a move set up by Surinder, striker Jyoti Sunita Kullu moved up from the right and went straight into the scoring area before slamming the ball in.

Railways then earned a penalty stroke when Surinder was fouled in front of the goal and she made no mistake in scooping the ball for a 6-1 halftime lead.

Surinder was again in the thick of action, scoring twice in the second half before Saba finished up two minutes from close.

In between, Poonam scored yet another consolation goal, but that was more because of Railways’ laxity than PEPSU’s teamwork.

Dull first-half

In another Pool A match, Karnataka and Maharashtra drew 3-3 after an inordinately dull first half. Ball collection by both teams was pathetic. Karnataka drew the first blood in the second half to infuse some life into the match. Karnataka went 3-0 up, but the young Maharashtra team rallied brilliantly to draw level and then wasted a few more chances.

In Pool C league, Indian Universities defeated the last edition’s bronze medallist Delhi 4-1. Delhi lacked perseverance while the Universities had a free run.

Bombay pounded Andhra Pradesh 7-0 as Asima Kispotta came up with five goals, including a hat-trick, to launch itself as top contender from Pool C.

The results: Pool A: Railways 9 (Saba Anjum 3rd, 20th, 68th; Jasjeet Kaur 7th; Surinder Kaur 24th, 28th, 44th, 66th; Jyoti Sunita Kullu 26th) bt PEPSU 2 (Poonam Giri 19th, 62nd).

Karnataka 3 (Lekha 40th; Kulsumni 41st; Ashitha 44th) drew with Maharashtra 3 (Ashwini Kadam 44th; Sonali Cherawani 57th, 60th).

Pool C: Indian Universities 4 (Sarabjit 10th; Reema 13th, 16th; Jeenam Jyoti 69th) bt Delhi 1 (Niresh 59th).

Bombay 7 (Asima Kispotta 16th, 24th, 57th, 61st, 62nd; Nishi Chauhan 53rd; Chanchal Devi 64th) bt Andhra Pradesh 0.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport