Army XI hold Air India, stay afloat in Beighton Cup

Air India, defending champions Indian Oil and Punjab National Bank have already booked semis berths, while Army XI will have to wait for the outcome between South Central Railway and Indian Overseas Bank tomorrow for the fourth semifinalist.

Having already made the last four with two successive wins, Air India began their last quarterfinal league match in an aggressive fashion taking a 4-0 lead with goals from Arjun Halappa (14th, 46th), Birender Lakra (44th) and Joga Singh (51st) at SAI artificial turf here.

But all was not over yet as the Army men bounced back in stunning fashion with Elizer Lakra's 55th minute effort.

 

There was no stopping Army XI as they slammed the board three more times through Mukesh Lakra (56th), Milam Muthappa (67th) and Chitranjan Singh (68th) but could not manage a fifth one before the referee blew the final whistle.

In an inconsequential match, Hockey Bhopal got the better of R C F Kapurthala 5-3.

The winners scored through Mubeenur Rahman (14th, 38th), Mehrajuddin (17th), Amir-ur-Rahman (43rd) and Osafur Rahman (62nd).

The Kapurthala boys reduced the margin through Karanpal Singh (26th, 60th) and Karanpal Singh (34th).