CAG qualify for national hockey semis

Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) defeated last year's runner-up Punjab 3-1 in Pool B to enter the semifinals of the National Hockey Championship (Division A) at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here Wednesday.

Punjab, who led 1-0 at half time, scored a field goal through Parvinder Singh (32nd minute). CAG looked a better outfit in the second half and levelled through Darshan D.S. (42nd). Darshan converted again (63rd) with Sarvjeet Singh scoring the final goal (69th) to register their fourth win in a row.

Later in Pool A, Madhya Pradesh routed Manipur 3-2. Madhya Pradesh came back strongly in the second half to take away the match from Manipur, who were leading by 2-0 at halftime.

Manipur's Laiba Singh and Heera Singh K. scored two (21st, 29th) to create the lead. But in the second half, Vikas Chaudhary of Madhya Pradesh scored three goals (38th, 41st, 51st) to turn the result in their favour.

Earlier, Air India defeated Association of Indian Universities (AIU) 7-2 in Pool A.

Results:

Pool B: Madhya Pradesh 3 beat Manipur 2; CAG 3 beat Punjab 1

Pool A: Air India 7 beat AIU 2