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Punjab cops, BSF in Nehru hockey final
November 24, 2004 19:46 IST
Continuing their giant-killing act, Border Security Force upset fancied Indian Oil 4-3 in the tie-breaker to set up a title clash with Punjab Police in the Nehru hockey tournament in Delhi on Wednesday.
BSF, who had earlier accounted for Indian Airlines in the league phase, got the better of an error-prone Indian Oil, comprising several internationals, in the penalty-shoot out, after both teams were locked goalless following a lacklustre show in regulation and extra time.
Earlier, the Dhillon brothers -- Baljit Singh and Daljit Singh -- scored a goal each as Punjab Police scraped past Bharat Petroleum 2-1 in the other semi-final.
Indian Oil had themselves to blame for the defeat as their players, Prabhjot Singh in particular, missed sitters in both halves.
In the tie-breaker, both the sides scored from first three strokes before Marinus Lakra of BSF missed his attempt.
But Indian Oil failed to grab the chance to take the lead as their captain Deepak Thakur hit straight to goalkeeper K M Subbaiah, who had no problem in stopping the ball coming at knee height with his pads.
Raj Singh then made it 4-3 in favour of BSF before Inder Salaria's shot was brilliantly stopped by Subbaiah, who dived to his right and pushed the ball away with the stick.
The Dhillon brothers saved Punjab Police the blushes by scoring a goal each in the first semifinal which saw both teams coming up with some very ordinary hockey.
Daljit's eighth minute strike gave Punjab Police the lead before Bharat Petroleum restored parity through a penalty-corner conversion by M S Prakash in the 46th minute.
Baljit's 65th minute goal then ensured the side a place in Thursday's final.