Dhanraj stars as IA romp into final

Ace striker Dhanraj Pillay played a superb game to enable Indian Airlines score 2-0 victory over last year's runners-up Punjab and Sind Bank in the semi-finals of the 39th Nehru hockey tournament in Delhi on Sunday.

In the final, they will take on Punjab Police, Jalandhar, who outplayed Border Security Force, Jalandhar, 3-0 in the first semi-final, thanks to Baljit Singh Dhillon's two penalty-corner goals (29th and 64th minute) and a fine solo goal by captain Gagan Ajit Singh in the 22nd minute.

For Indian Airlines, captain Dilip Tirkey drew first blood in the 14th minute through a penalty-corner, earned following Pillay's brilliant move. Pillay then took the game away from the opposition and scored the second in the 59th minute to give his team 2-0 lead.

''I think I played my near best... it was great to play domestic hockey after a stint of international tournaments. Tomorrow's final will be a tough one as Punjab Police is one of the best teams in the country,'' an elated Pillay said after the match.

Captain Tirkey, who was nursing a knee injury said, ''I am happy with today's performance. We will play an attacking game in tomorrow's final.''

Nine-time winners Indian Airlines could have scored half a dozen goals but were unable to convert some easy chances, mostly set up by Pillay. The ace striker displayed sheer brilliance with superb ball play and was always in the thick of action. The star of the Busan Asian Games, earned a penalty-corner in the seventh minute of the game but Indian Airlines could not convert it into a goal. Sameer Dad missed an easy chance as he put the ball outside after receiving a good through pass from Mukesh Kumar in the 11th minute.

Pillay saw an opening and ran well, dribbling past two defenders and gave a superb pass to Bimal Lakra, who was obstructed as Indian Airlines earned a penalty-corner. Tirkey made no mistake with a drag flick.

Pillay won a penalty-stroke for his team but Bimal Lakra pushed the ball wide.

In the second half, Punjab and Sind Bank played a listless game and showed no resolve for a comeback. Pillay's goal settled the issue.