Pune Police, Railway Police enter pre-quarters

Pune, July 5 (UNI) Last years runners-up Pune City Police beat a resolute Green Meadows 2-0 to enter the pre-quartes round of the 104th edition of the Aga Khan hockey tournament at the Poligars stadium of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) near here today.

Joining the winners in the pre-quarters are their counteparts Railway Police, who showed the exit door to Friends Union A 3-2 in yet another tight match.

Earlier, Rakshak Sports earned a hard fought 2-1 win over Friends Union B, while Krida Probhodini stopped the winning spree of Rovers Academy 2-0 and made it to the third round respectively.

Pune city cops had to fight all the way as the players of Green Meadows put up a plucky fight all the way. Ebulient inside right Wajid Shaikh, capitalising the opening made by centre forward Zamir Shaikh, sounded the board in the 29th minute to draw first blood.

After the change over, the city cops, with 1-0 advantage, added another goal in the 50th minute when right back Ganesh Muthaiya converted the penalty corner into a goal, which sealed the fate of Green Meadows, who put up a gallant fight through their strikers Vivek Yadavla and Shyam Sharma.

Centre forward Amol Bhosale struck in the 38th and 39th minutes to notch up a fine brace as Railway Police dominated the proceeding against Friends Union A.

Earlier, its inside right Santosh Musaley opened the score in the 17th minute with a solo run down to give Railway Police a head start. The senior string of Friends Union fought back and reduced the margin through good work of right out Kunal Jagdale in the 37th minute and right half Kamlesh Rajan, who netted the ball in the 50th minute.

Rakshak Sports Club went ahead in the 30th minute via centre forward Rohit Pise, who pounced on the opening made by Aniket Kadam.

Four minutes later, inside right Aniket Kadam found the mark after being put in possession by centre half Adiya Pawar. Friend Union B scored the consolation goal in the 41st minute through right out Ashish Rongate.

Displaying good understanding, Krida Probhodini Balewadi proved rather good for the Rovers Academy boys. Right extereme Satish Deokate scored in the 28th minute, while inside left Vinod Singade made the issue safe in the 47th minute connecting a fine cross by Ashish Shinde.

UNI