SAI rally to stun Indian Airlines
Trailing 0-2 till the 39th minute, unfaniced Sports Authority of India staged a stunning comeback to down former champions Indian Airlines 3-2 in the Super League of the 39th Senior Nehru hockey tournament in Delhi on Thursday.
In other league matches, Air India overpowered Tamil Nadu 2-0 while Punjab and Sind Bank were held to a 3-3 draw by CRPF.
SAI, who had lost to Bharat Petroleum 2-4 in their opeining league match, shocked Indian Airlies after being in arrears 0-2 at the lemon break.
Girish Pimpley put Airlines ahead in the 18th minute and two minutes before the breather Bimal Lakra made it 2-0 for them.
However, in the second session, SAI fought back superbly and reduced the margin through Hari Prasad in the 39th minute.
Surprisingly, the star-studded Airlines went on the defensive and allowed the SAI boys to dominate the midfield.
SAI captalised on the chances that came their way and drew parity as Amit Srivastav scored in the 62nd minute.
Three minutes before the final hooter, Amit again scored, off a penalty-corner, his second and the team's third goal, to give his side victory.
In the first match of the day, Sandeep Michael scored two first-half goals -- in the second and 25th minutes -- to enable former champions Air India overcame a spirited Tamil Nadu.
Punjab and Sind Bank were forced to share points with CRPF after being level 1-1 at half-time.
Jasved Singh gave CRPF the lead in the 12th minute but Parminder Singh equalised for the bankmen in the 32nd.
In the second-half, Parminder scored his and the team's second goal in the 42nd minute. However, the lead lasted for 15 minutes as Karan Pal Singh drew parity for CRPF, converting a penalty-stroke.
Sharanjit Singh gave the bankmen the lead for the third time in the 61st minute, when he scored off a penalty-corner, but a minute before the hooter veteran Tanver Jamal equalised for CRPF.
Punjab and Sind Bank have four points from two outings, having won one and drawn one. CRPF have one point from their first outing.
