PAU, Ranjit Singh Academy brighten semis chances

Ludhiana, Jan 20 (UNI) Punjab Agriculture University Academy of Ludhiana and Ranjit Singh Hockey Academy of Amritsar brightened their chances to qualify for the semi-finals of the Western Union Punjab Hockey A League by registering victeries at the PAU Astroturf Stadium here today.

With their third successive triumph, PAU and Ranjit Singh academies have collected nine full points from their respective pools. Surjit Hockey Academy of Jalandhar yesterday tasted their third successive win and with nine points viritually made it to the semi-finals.

PAU Academy today logged full points as they defeated Ropar Hockey Academy by 3-1. It was Ropar Hockey Academy which shot into the lead with a field goal scored by Gourav Singh in the 18th minute. Stunned by the reverses, the PAU Academy boys reorganised their game and started asserting themselves. Hard working Tarandeep Singh put his team on the victory path by first restoring parity in the 27th minute and three minutes later, put PAU Academy ahead. Ravi Kumar sealed the Ropar Academy's fate in the 46th minute by scoring a field goal.

PAU Academy were awarded seven penalty corners which they muffed while Ropar Academy forced four penalty corners but they also failed to capitalise on them. Ropar Academy suffered their third successive defeat in Pool B.

Ranjit Singh Hockey Academy of Amritsar blanked Thapar Hockey Academy of Sansarpur 3-0 with all the goals being scored in the second half. Gurjant emerged the star performer for Ranjit Singh Academy by pumping in two goals out of three his team scored. The Amritsar team forward first put his team ahead in the 37th minute through a field goal. Prabhjinder then made it 2-0 in the 39th minute by converting a penalty corner and Gurjant hit the target in the 41st minute.

Baba Uttam Singh Khadur Sahib and Faridkot Hockey Academy played a one-all draw. Cheema Hockey Academy of Batala and Sarih also split points by playing a 1-1 draw.

UNI