BRACE EACH BY YUVRAJ & PRADEEP PUT RAILWAYS IN LAST 4, ARMY XI BLANK CBDT

60th SNBP-NEHRU Hockey Tournament

Khel Today Bureau

New Delhi: Railway Sports Promotion Board led by Niyaz Rahim became the first team to be assured of a semi-final berth in the 60th SNBP-NEHRU Hockey Tournament today. They overcame a fighting CAG XI 5-3.

Army XI blanked a depleted CBDT 5-0 in the other action of the day at Shivaji Stadium.

Both Railways and CAG began on fast pace scoring once apiece in the first quarter. Yuvraj Walmiki drew the first blood for the railmen in 7th minute. Bharath Mahaalingappa put CAG at level four minutes later encashing a rebound following a penalty corner.

Railways went on a literal rampage in an exciting second half pumping in three goals in a span of seven minutes through Pradeep Singh, Yuvraj Walmiki and Sudarshan Singh to move ahead 4-1.

Third quarter belonged to CAG but they missed sitters too many after Parmod reduced the margin through a penalty stroke. Pradeep struck again for Railways in the 56th minute before Surya N M reduced for RSPB.

After a goalless first quarter Army XI scored at regular intervals through Sunil Xaxa, Gaurav Bhagtani, Budu Tuti (2) and Jobanpreet Singh. They will meet Railways next.