The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Punjab sets up final clash with Services

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Saturday, Feb 17, 2007
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Punjab sets up final clash with Services

Special Correspondent

STRIKE ONE: Anil Ekka of Services celebrates after scoring his team's first goal against Assam. — Photo: R. Ragu

GUWAHATI: Assam's dream of making it to the title round in the men's hockey competition of the National Games came crashing down with a 0-4 defeat at the hands of a far superior Services side in the semifinals at the Md. Tayabulla Stadium on Friday. Punjab, which downed Orissa by a solitary goal scored by Satinder Singh in the ninth minute of the other semifinal, will take on Services in the final on Sunday.

Despite being egged on by 3000 spectators, Assam found the going tough against a well-drilled Services side. The armymen dominated the match right through and kept up the pressure after opening the scoring in the fourth minute through Anil Ekka. The left winger made the most of a forward pass inside the striking circle giving Assam goalkeeper Jagdish no chance.

The fulcrum of the Services side was its central midfielder Avtar Singh. Excellent in defence and imaginative in his forward passes, Avtar's stream of defence splitting passes for the three-man forwardline, Dhananjay Mahadik, Suresh Kumar and Ekka, harassed the Assam defence.

Assam's biggest setback came just after the first reverse when defender Rajnish Mishra limped out with an ankle injury and his replacement Saurav G. lacked experience to thwart the Services' moves.

The Assam players kept running into a wall in Chandra Shekar Xalco and Bitty Shigroha. The duo played with such a good understanding that Assam rarely managed to enter the striking circle.

Assam skipper Th. Brojen Singh was the lone exception in the frontline working hard but lacked support from either Sameer Dad or Chinglensana Singh. Just before the break, Services scored the second goal through Suresh Kumar.

Ten minutes into the second half an unmarked Dhananjay Mahadik trapped a left wing cross and pushed home to kill the match. Ekka got his second goal, with three minutes remaining on the clock, with a firm push.

Maharashtra won the bronze medal in the women's section with a 3-0 thrashing of Delhi. The scorers were Ranjita S. (25th minute), Binita Toppo (40th, penalty corner) and Saba Anjum (65th minute).

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