Namdhari XI stun Indian Oil

New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI) Putting behind their opening match debacle, Namdhari XI played an aggressive game to shock defending champion Indian Oil 3-0 to stay in contention in the 18th Shastri Hockey tournament here today.

Karamjeet Singh scored a brace as Namdharis realising that it was a do or die match for them, went into attack from the very first minute and led 2-0 at half time.

The winners took the lead in the 12th minute when Karamjeet converted a penalty corner (1-0) and three minutes later Sukhvinder Singh made it 2-0.

Karamjeet completed the tally in the 50th minute.

In the other pool "A" match, Air India, who had beaten Namdharis yesterday, came from behind, after trailing 1-3 till the 46th minute, to share points as they played 4-4 draw with South Central Railways (SRC).

For Air India, who trailed 1-2 at half time, the goal scorers were Len Aiyappa (5th), Ajmer singh (46th),Dilbagh Singh (56th) and Girish Pimpale (65th).

K K Bharat (16th), Amit Srivas (32nd), Prabhakar singh (42nd) and Mayur Subbaiah(55th) scored a goal each for SRC.

In pool 'B', riding on Jitender Saroha's three goals, Punjab National Bank (PNB) trounced Army XI 7-2 after leading 3-0 at half time.

Bikas Topo (2), Balwinder Singh, Navdeep (one each) were the other goal getters for the winners. A K Ekka, D Mahadik (one each) reduced the margin for the losers.

In the last match of the day, runners up Bharat Petroleum downed Indian Airlines(IA) 3-2. The teams wrere levelled 1-1 at thelemon break.

The Petroleum men, who had drawn their opening match against Army XI 4-4, surged ahead in the 14th minute through Amar Aiyamma who scored off a penalty corner.

Amar scored his second goal in the 52nd minute while Gurpreet Singh chipped in with his third goal converting a stroke and that turned out to be the winner. For IA, Pawan Bassi (23rd) and Osaf-ur-Rehman (40th) scored a goal each.

IA had drawn their opening match against PNB (1-1).

UNI