New Delhi: Punjab National Bank (PNB XI) displayed some spectacular hockey to rout Air India 4-2 and make it to the finals of the 48th Nehru Senior Hockey Tournament to be played here at the Dhyanchand Stadium on Friday.

PNB got off to a real good start and pulled off the first goal in the within the first minute of the match through Damandeep Singh. A goal so early in the match pumped them up and they enhanced their attack looking to widen the gap. But in the 10th minute, a brave counter attacking move by Air India saw them pull up the equalizer, when Lalit Upadhaya on the run deceived the goal keeper to put in behind the net.

The goal saw PNB turn vindictive and they started firing on all cylinders and forced the first penalty corner of the match in the 21st minute.  Jatinder made no mistake and fired it through the open channel to take give PNB the lead. But they could not hold on to the lead as AIR India equalized four minutes later through Rahul off a penalty corner.

Arjun Antil, of PNB playing with an injured finger along with M.Minz showed some great skills especially with their passing game and kept the Air India side under constant pressure.

Air India soon succumbed to PNB’s tactic and conceded the third goal just three minutes before the half time, when Naveen scored for PNB.

After the change of ends, PNB started off from where they left and one minutes into the second half they scored through Ranjit Singh to double the lead. After widening the gap, PNB adopted a defensive mode and concentrated on defending the lead. They were successful in their endeavor as no further goal could be scored in the match. Air India got few opportunities but some nice saves by Goalkeeper Jasbir Singh in last few minutes kept them away from the glory.

They now face ONGC in the finals who defeated Bharat Petroleum 4-2 to advance to the finals.

By Shraddha Bagdwal

Indian Sports News