Hockey: PSPB, RSCB set up repeat clash
Pune, 14th September 2024: Defending champions Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) and runners up Railway Sports Promotion Board set up a repeat final of the last edition by winning their respective semifinals in the 4th Hockey India Inter-Department National Championship 2024 at the Major. Dhyanchand Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri on Saturday.
PSPB downed Services Sports Control Board (SSC) 5-3 in an entertaining encounter that was fought with end-to-end action. PSCB were aided by a double strike by Gurjinder Singh who scored one goal in either half.
Later in the next semifinal, RSPB pipped Food Corporation of India (FCI) 2-1 and in a come from behind effort and set up a final clash with PSPB on Sunday.
In the first semifinal, PSPB began the day 0-1 after Ajinkya Jadhav (21st) gave SSC the lead with an acute angle finish. PSCB stung back when Gurjinder Singh (28th) levelled terms 1-1 by converting a penalty-stroke to end first-half action.
Changing ends, Yousuf Affan (49th), Talwinder Singh (50th – p.c) Armaan Qureshi 57th and Gurjinder (55th) kept PSPB going scoring regularly. SSC had Pawan Rajbhar (53rd) and Sushil Dhanwar (58th – p.s) score to complete the final tally.
The second semifinal played mid-afternoon had Railway Sports Promotion Board fight off Food Corporation 2-1. An early goal by Ankush (12th) gave FCI the lead which remained until half-time, before Yuvraj Walmiki (46th) RSPB levelled the match (1-1) and later Atul Deep (57th) managed to get a faint deflection on the ball and sound the board which turned out to be the match-winner (2-1).
RESULTS
SF1: Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB): 5 (Gurjinder Singh 28th – p.s, 55th – p.c; Yousuf Affan 49th; Talwinder Singh 50th – p.c; Armaan Qureshi 57th) bt Services Sports Control Board (SSC): 3 (Ajinkya Jadhav 21st; Pawan Rajbhar 53rd; Sushil Dhanwar 58th – p.s). HT: 1-1
SF2: Railway Sports Promotion Board: 2 (Yuvraj Walmiki 46th; Atul Deep 57th) bt Food Corporation of India: 1 (Ankush 12th; ) HT: 0-1
