In a closely-fought contest, Birsa Munda Vidyapith, Rourkela, edged past Government Senior Secondary School from Meham in Rohtak 2-1 in their last league match of the 41st Nehru junior boys hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium in the capital on Wednesday. The win ensured a semi-final berth for the Rourkela boys.
At half time, the teams were tied 1-1 but captain Sumit Toppo’s penalty corner conversion in the 56th minute handed his team the win.
In an earlier league match, Springdales Senior Secondary School, Amritsar, eased to a 4-0 win over V.S. Agri Senior Secondary School, Kheragarhi, to cruise into the last four. The team rode on a brace from Jobanpreet Singh (15th, 29th) and will face Army Boys Sports Company, Bengaluru for a place in the final.
In an inconsequential tie, Directorate General, NCC (B), fought back valiantly against Government Senior Secondary School of Jharkar but lost 4-6 in the two teams’ final league match. Trailing 0-5, the NCC team raised the level of their game in the last 16 minutes, scoring four goals but failed to stop their opponents from pocketing full points.
The NCC team began the match on the wrong foot conceding the lead through an own goal in the sixth minute. But after that, the Jharkar boys struck twice in the first half to establish their grip on the match through skipper Jatinder Pal Singh (16th minute) and Harpreet Singh (30th).
Semi-finals lineup
Springdales Sr Sec. School, Amritsar vs Army Boys Sports Company, Bengaluru at 1 pm Birsa Munda Vidyapith, Rourkela vs Guru Harkrishan Public School, India Gate at 3 pm.