PNB advance to quarterfinals

Punjab National Bank secured their place in the quarterfinals of the Bengaluru Super Hockey League with a 1-1 draw against Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd on Sunday.

Though Gagandeep Singh’s 32nd minute opener was cancelled out by a Devinder Walmiki strike in the second half, it barely mattered as PNB topped Pool B with 13 points from their five games.

BPCL will complete their league engagement on Monday when they take on Army XI Red with both the teams assured of place in the last-eight along with All India Customs.

In Pool A, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, ONGC, Indian Air Force and South Central Railways have qualified for the quarterfinals.

PNB was keen on holding on to their pole position in Pool B. And it was no surprise that the bankmen came close to sounding the board.

Handed a penalty corner by Walmiki, PNB ensured that they didn’t waste the opportunity as Gagandeep converted the short corner without much fuss.

BPCL took their game a notch higher after the break and were rewarded for their effort in the 51st minute.

Walmiki was once again involved as the petroleum side as the Mumbaikar made amends for his carelessness this time and slotted in a Rajat Sharma pass to draw his side level.

Results: BPCL: 1 (Devinder Walmiki 51st) drew with Punjab National Bank: 1 (Gagandeep Singh 32nd); ONGC: 1 (Jagwant Singh 7th) bt South Central Railways: 0; IOCL: 11 (VR Raghunath 5th, 45th Gurjinder Singh 13th, 41st, 47th, Roshan Minz 19th, Pradhan Somanna 34th, 67th, Amit 49th, Sunil Yadav 54th, N Jen Jen Singh 57th, ) bt Jain Sports: 2 (Veera Thamizhan 13th, Mahendran Pitchandi 22nd).