Punjab, Mumbai in Super League stage

Hosts Punjab and Mumbai made it to the Super League in the Dainik Bhaskar Tracer 62nd National Hockey Championship, defeating Karnataka and Chattisgarh in their respective pre-quarter-final knock-out matches on Thursday.

Former champions Punjab beat Karnataka 4-2 while Mumbai routed Chattisgarh 6-1.

Jarnail Singh and Amit Singh scored a brace each in Punjab's easy victory while Laxman Rao accounted for Karnataka's goals.

In the other match, Mumbai took lead in the 18th minute through Stanley Fernandes, who scored after getting a pass from Jayesh Yadav.

Chatisgarh restored parity in the 24th minute through Fuzail, but four minutes later Vikas Pillai put Mumbai ahead again and at the stroke of half-time Nilesh Mane converted a penalty-corner to extend Mumbai's lead to 3-1.

Jayesh Yadav then scored a brace of goals before Mumbai added two more through Hemant Lethe and Shakti Thakur for a commanding victory.

Delhi, Chandigarh, Railways and Indian Airlines also made it to the Super League.

While Delhi thrashed Jharkhand 9-1, Indian Airlines did likewise against Uttar Pradesh, winning 7-1 at the Bhaini Sahib in Jalandhar.

The day was also good for Chandigarh and Railways, who beat Patiala 3-0 and Orissa 2-0 respectively.