Title - SAI, Sonepat, emerge victorious

Ludhiana: Sports Authority of India (SAI), Sonepat, and Central Railway, Mumbai, survived many anxious moments before overpowering their respective opponents and securing berths in the semi finals of the 16th Mohinder Partap Singh Grewal Memorial Hockey Tournament being played at the Olympian Prithipal Singh AstroTurf Stadium, Punjab Agricultural University campus, today.South Eastern Railway, Kolkata, registered 7-0 victory over Lyallpur Khalsa College Academy, Jalandhar, to join them in the last four stages. Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, had already book a place with a convincing 7-0 win against minnows, SAI XI, Badal, yesterday.Today, in the first match of the day, SAI, Sonepat, scraped past Western Railway (Mumbai) 2-1. The issue was resolved through a golden goal as the two sides were tied 1-all at the end of regular period. After the first half, SAI eves surged ahead in the 45th minute through Jyoti who scored in a goal. WR eves pressed hard for the equaliser and eventually succeeded just two minutes before the long whistle (1-1). As the tie remained unresolved, extra time rule was applied in which SAI, Sonepat, proved good, finding the target in the very 3rd minute when Ashima scored an opportunistic goal that sealed WR Mumbai's fate 2-1.

The second match played between South Eastern Railway (Kolkata) and Lyallpur Khalsa College Academy (Jalandhar) turned out to be a one-sided affair in which the former came out triumphant without being challenged (7-0). The winners established 4-0 lead at half time.

L Kerketta scored a brace while Pushpa Pradhan, captain Farida Lakra, Rajni Ekka, Sushila Lakra and Poonam Tete added one goal each to complete the rout.

In the third match, Central Railway (Mumbai) after a pitched battle, managed to prevail over SAI, Chandigarh, 2-1. It was SAI, Chandigarh, who earned lead in the 14th minute when Ranjana scored a parallel pass. CR, Mumbai, players tried desperately to level the score but failed to translate the chances into a goal.

In the second half, Central Railway exerted full pressure on academy players and these tactics yielded result in the 50th minute as Usha restored parity (1-1). The match winner came off Jamila's stick in the 70th minute which assured them a place in semi finals.

GS Lotey, an industrialist, and HS Bains, patron of the tournament committee, were the guests of honour today. They announced financial assistance of Rs 25,000 and Rs 21,000, respectively for the organising committee.

Pritam Singh Grewal, Mayor, Hounslow, London; Ajmer Kaur Grewal, Dr Kulwant Sandhu, Olympian Baldev Singh, Jagdev Singh and Paramjit Singh Dhaliwal were the dignitaries present at the stadium.