The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : No stopping Birendra Lakra

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Monday, Feb 18, 2008
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No stopping Birendra Lakra

Principal Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Striker Birendra Lakra fashioned defending champion Steel Authority of India Limited’s victory (SAIL) by scoring all five goals, which included a hat-trick, over Bihar in the first semifinal of the Junior National hockey championship at the Gachibowli Complex here on Sunday.

In another semifinal, Chandigarh Academy registered a 4-1 win over Andhra. Sandeep Singh, Simarandeep Singh, Amandeep Singh and Davinder Singh struck once each for the winner, while Krishna Kishore reduced the margin.

Displaying remarkable speed and ball control, Birendra dodged his way into the striking zone before essaying a neat carpet drive to put SAIL in the lead as early in the eighth minute.

Rough play

A stunned Bihar resorted to some rough play which saw referee Ramesh Kutty show the yellow card to Deepak Kujur very early in the first-half.

However, to its credit Bihar hung on gamely despite this early setback. Bihar’s midfield — Tejkumar Mullu, Bipin Ekka and Deepak Kujur — ensured that the SAIL forwards — Amardeep Ekka, Ratna Ekka and Xavier Ekka — did not get the desired freedom. And, more importantly Bihar even scored the equaliser through a fine effort from Prabhakar Nigam in the 31st minute.

At half-time, the teams were one-all.

Angular shot

On resumption, it was SAIL which shot into lead in the third minute when Birendra drew himself away from the crowded defence before executing an angular shot on the run from the left of the ‘D’ to make it 2-1.

Birendra, with his near-flawless movements, scored two more beautiful goals in the 48th and 55th minutes to give SAIL a convincing 4-1 lead.

Birendra quite fittingly gave an apt finish, picking up a rebound from the goalkeeper Nelson Kujoor’s palm to find the target and seal the rival’s fate.

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