Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Fortis played out a 1-1 draw and both advanced to Tier I of the Synergy Sports Super Division hockey league at the KSHA stadium on Thursday.
Army Green and Army Service Corps had already qualified for Tier I with 17 and 11 points respectively. The battle for the next two places was on between HAL, Fortis and Sports Authority of India. The draw on Thursday meant all three teams ended up with nine points after the completion of seven matches in the first phase.
However, HAL ended up with a goal difference of three and Fortis two. SAI, with a goal difference of one, bowed out of the event.
Birendra Lakra scored first to give Fortis the lead, while Ilavarasan struck the equaliser for the Aeronauticsmen.
Fortis had the majority of the possession in the first half in a match that never rose above the ordinary. They made some good runs into the circle and were successful in forcing as many as 11 penalty corners. Sadly, they did not convert any of them. HAL, on the other hand, were a little defensive against the rival attack consisting of former India players Sandeep Michael and Lakra and Brojen Singh.
The first goal came in the eighth minute. Lakra, who got the ball inside the circle, found the gap in a crowded striking circle and put Fortis ahead. In the second half too, there were a number of sallies from Fortis but without success.
HAL seemed determined to make a match of it. Ilavarasan almost netted the equaliser a few minutes into the second half following a long pass from Karumbaiah. The former's deflection narrowly missed the goal.
But in the 61st mintue, Ilavarasan deflected a KP Roy long corner to restore parity for HAL.
Though they made it to Tier I, it was not a pleasant match for HAL. Three of their players — Gopal Raju, KP Roy and skipper Dominic Savio — sustained injuries on their faces. Raju had to be taken to hospital with a broken jaw, said coach G Parimal Kumar.