: Central Excise clung on to its lead to script a 4-3 win over Lucknow Sports Hostel in a quarterfinal match of the IOB-Syed Ahmed Memorial all-India hockey tournament, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, here on Friday.
Leading 4-1 early in the second half, CE let down its guard and the Sports Hostel boys came back strongly to score twice in quick succession. It threatened to equalise, but the CE defenders stayed firm.
The first half began on a sedate note, with both teams not making any sort of impact. Faiz Alam finally put Hostel ahead in the 20th minute through a penalty corner that hit the top of the roof. Laxman Karan equalised soon after with a neat push home — the goal looked unlikely as the goalkeeper came sliding and a bunch of defenders were closing in on the striker.
Within a few minutes, Karan scored off a penalty corner as the teams went into the break.
CE dominated the beginning of the second session with quick counterattacks from the flanks, and soon got its reward when a Sathya Rajan’s backhander found the net. A marauding run by Karan saw him being pulled down, and the resultant stroke was converted by Stephen Babu.
Goals by Sports Hostel’s Uttam Kumar (49th) and Imran Khan (57th) forced CE to defend its lead stoutly.
In a last eight match, Army XI drubbed Southern Railway 8-2. Rajesh Kumar, Suresh Kumar, Sunil Ekka, Chittaranjan, Arumugam (2) and Poovanna (2) converted for Army XI. Jayraj and Ganesh netted for Railways.
