Hockey: Army Red take on IAF in finals

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Chandigarh, Jul 18: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will clash with the defending champions Army Red in the finals of the 55th Inter Services Hockey Championship to be held at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here tomorrow.

In the two semifinals played here today, Army Red beat Navy 2-0 and IAF beat Army Green to enter the finals with a margin of two goals to nil.

The first semifinal of the day was played between Army Red and Indian Navy, in which Army Red took a quick 2-0 lead in the first 19 minutes of the play. Having a firm grip on the game, Army Red did not lower its guard thereafter and gave no chance to the Navy team to catch up and maintained its 2-0 lead till the close of the game.

The first goal for Army Red came in the 16th minute of the match when K H Renel Singh successfully converted a penalty corner. Just three minutes later, Chittranjan Singh gave Army Red the decisive 2-0 lead by scoring the second goal.

Army Red got four penalty corners of which they were able to convert one. The Navy team, however, failed to capitalize on the two penalty corners that came its way.

In the second semi final, Army Green despite playing a highly spirited game, lost out to IAF 2-Nil. Both the goals for Air Force came from penalty corners in the 9th and 43rd minute of the match.

Raminder for IAF was instrumental in converting both the penalty corners for his team. The Army Green was not as fortunate and failed to convert any of the four penalty corners awarded to it.

The final would be played tomorrow at 1630 hours. Lt Gen Daljeet Singh, GOC-in-C, Western Command, would be the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony.

UNI