Controversial golden goal
gives Punjab Police title

A controversial 'golden' goal by Gagan Ajit Singh sealed the fate of 11-time winners Indian Airlines in the final of the Nehru hockey tournament, as Punjab Police emerged 3-2 winners and lifted the crown for the fifth time, in Delhi, on Monday.

The goal led to a riot-like situation on the field as the Indian Airlines players rushed to umpire Javed Sheikh of Mumbai and protested against his decision to allow a goal. Sheikh had to be escorted out of the ground under police protection.

Punjab Police led 2-1 at half-time but Indian Airlines restored parity in the second-half.

For Punjab Police, who regained the title after a gap of eight years, the scorers were Gagan Ajit Singh (11th and 75th minutes) and Jugraj Singh (34th).

Dilip Tirkey (32nd) and Girish Pimpley (36th) scored for the losers.

The victory fetched Punjab Police a cheque of Rs 200,000 while Indian Airlines received Rs 100,000.

Five minutes into the extra-time, Punjab Police made a counter attack and earned their fourth penalty-corner. Jugraj Singh's shot hit Dhanraj Pillay's foot and ricocheted to Gagan Ajit, who dispatched home in a jiffy, giving goalkeeper A B Subbaiah no chance to stop.

The Indian Airlines players contended that umpire Sheikh, who allowed the advantage to the policemen, should have instead awarded a penalty-corner or a 'stroke'.

Indian Airlines were already upset against other umpire Satinder Sharma's decision to show Dhanraj Pillay the yellow card in the first-half, which reduced the team to ten players for ten minutes.

However, better sense prevailed and normalcy was restored, and the prize distribution function went off smoothly.

Yesterday's report
Dhanraj stars as IA romp into final