Aga Khan Hockey: CR, Pune breezes into quarters

Pune, Jul 6 (UNI) Making the most of a mediocre opposition, Central Railway, Pune, handed out a 8-2 drubbing to Ichalkarnji XI and breezed into the last eight stage of the 104th edition of the All India Aga Khan hockey tournament today.

Earlier, Metro Club A whipped Rakshak Sport Club 3-1, while Vikram Pillay Academy edged past gritty Krida Prabhodini 5-4 and entered the pre-quarter finals stage.

The Central Railway, Pune using the outing as target practice for stiffer tests ahead, saw their fleet footed right winger Sashikant Girange finding the mark thrice in the 8th, 45th and 58th minutes but missed the coveted hattrick. The other frontliner Ranji Bhatti sounded the boards twice in the 32nd and 56th minutes, while Akilesh Singh, Ashish Bhosale and Prakash Ghume chipped in with a goal each to the complete the tally.

The visitors from Ichalkarangi, the textile town boys, reduced the margin through G Vijay Naik in the 39th minute and Anil Belitkar in the 53rd minute.

Vikram Pillay Academy had to give out their best before downing Krida Probhodini Balewadi. Centre forward Navid Singh struck twice in the 9th and 18th minute to help himself with a brace. The other forwards -- Vikas Pillay, Cyril Bernard and Chandrakant Kamble scored once each for the winners. Krida Probhodini fought back via the good work of inside right Ashish Shirodkar who also netted a brace scoring in the 33rd and 37th minutes. Earlier Pramod Singade 32nd and Deep Patel 51st minute scored once each to reduce the margin.

In the other tie, Metro Club nosed out Rakshak Sports Club. Speedy winger Rakesh Pollaiya found the mark twice in the 9th and 22nd minutes while pivot Aijaz Sayed scored in the 37th minute. Rakshak reduced the margin via Avishkar Desai in the 50th minute before bowing out.

UNI