CBDT DOWN NAVAL TATA ACADEMY IN PENALTY SHOOTOUT, ITBP PREVAIL OVER CRPF

Khel Today Bureau

New Delhi: Trend of closely fought, stimulatingly exciting matches continued on the third day of 60th SNBP-Nehru Senior Hockey Tournament as CBDT held to a 3-all draw prevailed upon Naval Tata Academy, Jamshedpur 3-1 in the penalty shootout out, while ITBP in a late burst downed CRPF 4-1.

CRPF without their late coach Umesh Dhull, who died en route to Delhi, did not give in easily. Their forwards did a good job but for Vatandeep Singh under the ITBP bar. Two of the goals for ITBP came in latter half of fourth quarter, as also the consolation goal for CRPF in all para-forces clash. They trailed by a single goal at the half time.

That the participating teams need to be given training in penalty shootout was visible as only four of the eight attempts taken could result in goals, including one through a penalty stroke. The rule of dribble and shoot in 8 secs making a start from the 23 yard line, was introduced quite a few years back. Today’s match also saw two stokes going abegging, once apiece in the regulation time and the shootout.

CBDT went into lead by scoring twice in first 13 minutes through Machaiah PA and Vikas Chaudhary. Mohd Jaeed made it 1-2 for Jamshedpur in the 40th minute. CBDT took further lead through Mankadan in 47th minute before Tata boys hit back through Simon Bodra and Ujjwal Pal. Had Y M Gowda converted a stroke earned by captain and Olympian Jarmanpreet’s penalty corner for CBDT in the third quarter match wouldn’t have gone into shootout.

While Mehkeet (a week-link in the match), Machiah and Manikadan converted for CBDT, only Ankush was successful for for Tatas in the shootout. CBDT will now face Railways Board in the next outing.

Scoring first through Vijay Gond in the third minute ITBP had to wait for 36th minute before Gond found the net again. Rahul Yadav and Shubham added to ITBP tally in 51st and 54th minutes before Rahul Sharma converted minutes before the hooter through a carpeted conversion off a penalty corner for CRPF. ITBP would take on Indian Navy next.