Mumbai in Jr Nat. hockey final

Last year's finalist Mumbai reached the final of the Junior National hockey championship after beating Punjab 8-7 via sudden-death, after both teams were locked 2-2 at the end of stipulated time in the semi-final, in Madras, on Tuesday.

With neither team scoring the golden goal in 15 minutes of extra-time, the tie-breaker was resorted to and both teams were still level six-all at the end of it.

In sudden-death, Mumbai's Sunil Singh made it 7-6 and Jugraj Singh converted for Punjab (7-7). With Satish Kumar sounding the board for Mumbai, the score became 8-7 before goalkeeper Sairam Bishnoi, defended the shot of Avatar Singh to give Mumbai a hard-earned victory.

Earlier in the tie-breaker, Vikram Pillai, Sunil Singh, Satish Kumar and Bishnoi scored for Mumbai while Jugraj Singh, Gabbar Singh, Bikramjit Singh and Avatar Singh were the scorers for Punjab.

Vijay Alphonso (Mumbai) pushed wide while Jaswant Singh's (Pun) hit was blocked.

In regulation time, Mumbai led 2-0 through goals by Vikram Pillai (33rd) and Satish Kumar (50th) before Punjab restored parity through Jugraj Singh (68th, 69th minute).