New Delhi: ONGC got the better of Punjab & National Bank 3-2 to start their campaign in the Lal Bahadur Shastri Men’s Hockey Tournament being held at Major Dhayan Chand National Stadium on a winning note, here on Saturday.

ONGC scored through Akash (11th minute), Sandeep Antil (40th) and Pramod (44th) in the Pool I clash. Arjun (37th) and Gagan (46th) found the target for PNB.

ONGC started to get on top and sustained the pressure through a succession of short corners. Pramod moved the ball well and ONGC forwards caused problems for the Punjab National Bank throughout the first half. ONGC took the lead through Akash in the 11th minute and maintained the 1-0 till the breather.

In second half, Arjun Antil brought Punjab National Bank back into the game and equalized the score in 37th minute. In the 40th minute, ONGC extended their lead through Sandeep and within next four minutes Parmod for ONGC who directly pushed the ball into the net to make it 3-1.

Punjab National Bank got few penalty corners but remarkable save by goalkeeper Kamaldeep Singh saved ONGC the blues. However, Punjab National Bank got another penalty corner in 46th minute and Gagan this time made no mistake to convert it into the goal. Towards the end of the 2nd half, Punjab National Bank showed some attacking game but in most cases the hits from the bankmen could not find the post.

By Shraddha Bagdwal
Indian Sports News