EME Jalandhar snatch draw against Indian Navy; Western, Central win

Mumbai, Apr 11 (UNI) EME Jalandhar today made a superb comeback to salvage a draw at 3-3 after being 1-3 down with 13 minutes left against Indian Navy in the quarterfinal league Pool G clash of the 45th All India Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournament played at the Mahindra stadium here today.

In other matches, both the Railways -- Central in Pool H and Western in Pool J -- made a winning start to their campaign, downing Bhopal XI 3-1 and Indian Overseas Bank 2-1 respectively.

In the last match of the day, the Indian Air Force (IAF) beat UP XI by the odd goal in three in a Pool I match.

The Indian Navy today paid the price of sitting on their lead a bit too soon with EME Jalandhar managing to come back into the match and also salvage a point with a 3-3 draw.

It was Indian Navy which took the lead in the eight minute, when A K Kiro scored a direct hit from a penalty corner. The Navy men then increased the lead in the 29th minute when Kiro once again converted a direct penalty corner to put his side 2-0 up.

Two minutes later, however, EME reduced the margin through Mandeep Singh when he scored of a rebound following a penalty corner to go into half time with the scoreline in favour of Indian Navy at 2-1.

Five minutes into the second half, the Navy men earned a penalty stroke which was easily converted by Sajit Lakra to put his side in the driver's seat.

However, inexplicably the Navy men went on the defence wanting to sit on the lead and this proved to be their downfall as first Avtar Singh following a move down the right scooped the ball into the net to make it 2-3 for his side.

EME were then reduced to 10 men when Mandeep Singh received a green card for an infringement inside the Indian Navy box in the 65th minute.

However, EME kept on attacking the rival citadel and were finally rewarded with the equaliser in the 67th minute, when their captain A K Bhatti scored a beautiful field goal.

Scores: EME Jalandhar drew with Indian Navy 3-3; Western Railway beat Indian Overseas Bank 2-1; Central Railway beat Bhopal XI 3-1; Indian Air Force beat UP XI 2-1.

UNI