JOIN USA resolute Punjab National Bank (PNB) rallied from a goal down to emerge champions in the Bengaluru Super Division Hockey League on Saturday.
In view of reasonably sized audience at the hockey stadium, goals from Gagandeep Singh and forward Sukhjeet Singh powered the Bankmen to a 3-1 victory over favourites Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
The scoreline was not a fair reflection of the way things panned out under cloudy conditions.
The first ten minutes set the tone for the game with both sides showing plenty of attacking intent.
It was India international SV Sunil who finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute.
Experienced defender William Xalxo thumped a hopeful cross into the area and the aware Sunil got enough on it to hand BPCL the edge.
But the lead didn’t last too long as Gagandeep levelled things for the Bankmen from a penalty corner in the 25th minute.
In the second half, PNB came out all guns blazing and piled the pressure on BPCL but their finishing seemed to desert them.
Gurjinder Singh had a good opportunity in the 43rd minute when he made his way into the area but didn’t produce a shot and the BPCL defenders thwarted the danger.
The Shivdeep Dawra-led kept knocking on the door and eventually went ahead in the 66th minute courtesy of Gagandeep’s second, again from a penalty corner.
With some reassured stickwork, the defender struck his shot past a hapless BPCL custodian Vikas Dahiya.
Sukhjeet then added sheen to the final score seconds before the final hooter sounded.
After making a dazzling run past a couple of defender, Sukhjeet rounded Dahiya before scoring from a tight angle to spark off celebrations.
In the third-fourth playoff game Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited breezed past Army XI Red 5-2.
DH News Service
Results: Final: PNB: 3 (Gagandeep Singh 25th, 66th, Sukhjeet Singh 70th) bt BPCL: 1 (SV Sunil 23rd). 3rd and 4th place: ONGC: 5 (Abhay Kumar 11th, 13th, Sumit Kumar 26th, Jagwant Singh 51st, 68th) bt Army XI Red: 2 (Binay Bhengra 50th, Siraju AP 53rd)
Individual awards: Best player: SV Sunil (BPCL); goalkeeper: Jasbir Singh (PNB); defender: Gagandeep Singh (PNB); midfielder: Pawal Lakra (Army Red); forward: Sukhjeet Singh (PNB)