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Thursday, January 21, 1999

Thakur's hat-trick in Punjab Olympians big victory

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE  
NEW DELHI, January 20: Arunesh Kumar's goal in the 45th minute gave Delhi Transport Corporation a one-goal victory over Adivasis in the Delhi Hockey Championship at Shivaji Stadium here today. In other matches, Sonnet overcame a fighting Punjab Hawks 4-3, Punjab Olympians had an easy outing against Metropolitans beating them 7-1 while Independent Club beat Chota Nagpur Blues 5-1.

The DTC-Adivasis match was a mockery of sorts as both sides hardly looked professionals. Big belly, balded heads and grey hair was the composition of DTC side while the look of a professional hockey playing side was missing from a comparatively young Adivasi side. Both sides fumbled badly at the target and missed numerous chances. After a barren first half, it was DTC who broke the ice with a goal by Arunesh Kumar in the 45th minute. Adivasis tried to equalise, but the zeal to do so was missing and DTC defenders had no problem stopping them.

The Punjab Hawks-Sonnet clash was comparatively fast-paced and interesting. Both sides fought neck-to-neck. Sonnet took the lead through Amarjeet Singh in the 10th minute which was consolidated by him in the 21st minute. Seconds before the break, Amrit Singh made it 3-0.

Punjab Hawks returned afresh with energy and strategy after the break and Mohit pounced on the very first opportunity he got to reduce the margin in the 38th minute. Ten minutes later, it was Mohit again and this time he scored through a penalty stroke that was awarded to Punjab Hawks for a foul by Sonnet defenders. Just as Punjab Hawks were getting closer to an equaliser, Sonnet struck again. Navneet Singh made it 4-2 in the 52nd minute. Punjab Hawks, who had increased the pace of the attack, retaliated and five minute later in the 57th minute Manpreet made it 3-4. They kept on mounting pressure on their rivals, but Sonnet defenders denied them any chances.

Ashish Thakur's hat-trick was the only highlight of the one-sided dull and drab tie between Punjab Olympians and a nine-member Metropolitan side. Thakur scored in the fifth, 10th and 16th minutes. Vineet (32nd), Ritesh (36th), Manmohan (45th) and Prabhat Saini (55th) were the other scorers for the winners while Praveen reduced the margin for Metropolitans.

Kuldip (5th & 15th), Azad (10th), Mukesh (25th), Kuber (56th) were the scorers for Independent Club while Sunil Toppo reduced the margin in 40th minute.

Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.


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