IA, AI win matches in Ranjit Singh hockey

New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI) Len Aiyappa struck twice as Air India came from behind to beat Punjab and Sindh Bank 3-1 while Indian Airlines defeated BSF Jalandhar by an identical scoreline in the Maharaja Ranjit Singh hockey tournament at Shivaji Stadium here today.

Parminder Singh put the bankers ahead with a brilliant field goal in the eighth minute. However, the euphoria did not last long and Air India drew parity with Len converting a penalty stroke in the 18th minute.

Air India mounted the pressure and took the lead three minutes later through Mandeep Singh. Len scored his second goal when he converted a penalty corner second minute into the second half to make the scoreline 3-1.

In another match, Indian Airlines dominated the proceedings right from the start and were rewarded in 28th minute when Bimal Lal scored a field goal to put his team ahead.

Peter Tirkey's 42nd minute strike earned BSF the parity but Brinder (47th) and Dhanraj (64th minute) found the back of the net as the Airlines emerge victorious.

UNI