Air India meet Rovers in six-a-side hockey final

Chandigarh, May 18 (UNI) Air India will meet Rock Rovers in the final of the in the fifth Olympian Dharam Singh Memorial Six-a-Side Hockey Tournament tomorrow at 1930 hrs.

In the semi-finals played here tonight at the Sector 18 Hockey Stadium under lights, Air India defeated Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) by 15-10 while Rock Rovers, banking on the scoring skills of Olympian Deepak Thakur and Satwinder Singh, edged out Central Industrial Security Force of Delhi by 12-10.

BPCL were leading by 7-5 at half time but Air India bounced back into the game in the second half by scoring 10 goals in reply to BPCL's three. Ravi Pal of BPCL was adjudged the man of the match by scoring seven goals.

In a hard-fought battle, Rovers led 5-3 at half time. Deepak Thakur and Satwinder scored five goals apice to help Rovers prevail over their tough opponents. Sukhmeet Sodhi and Mandeep Singh contributed one goal each.

For CISF, prolific scorer Cyril Ekka looked in good form as he slammed six goals. Captain Pratik Kumar also excelled as he netted four goals. Rock Rovers goalkeeper Sunny Samuel who gave a good account of himself and made some brilliant saves was declared the man of the match.

It was CISF who drew the first blood through Pratik Kumar by converting a penalty corner in the fourth minute. Rock Rovers hit back immediately through Satwinder who scored a field goal and in the next minute, Deepak Thakur put his team ahead with a field goal.

CISF then struck two quick goals. Pratik made it 2-all by converting a penalty stroke in the sixth minute and Cyril Ekka put his team ahead in the seventh minute.

Deepak made it three-all in the seventh minute. With only two minutes remaining, the teams were tied at 10-all, Mandeep (29th) and Satwinder (30th minute, penalty stroke) scored one goal each to give Rovers a well-earned verdict.

UNI