Punjab and Sind Bank edged past Kerala Hockey 5-4 to enter the semi-finals of the 7th Junior National Hockey Championship 2017 (Men) 'B' Division here on Wednesday.
In a fast paced game, it was Kerala Hockey that struck first, D Sarang scoring in the 20th minute to give them the lead. Punjab & Sind Bank replied in style, with Prince (22', 32') and Charanjeet Singh (33') scoring giving them the lead at half time.
Kerala Hockey reduced the deficit at the beginning of the second half, via a Christo Sebastian goal in the 41st minute, but in the end, Punjab & Sind Bank's constant scoring gave them the victory. Prince completed his hat-trick with a third goal in the 44th minute.
The second quarter-final between Hockey Bihar and Hockey Bengaluru, was a tight affair, settled in a shootout after the teams were locked at 1-1 in regulation time.
It took till late in the second half for the first goal to arrive, Hockey Bihar's Gulsan Ekka converting a penalty corner in the 57th minute to give his team the lead.
Hockey Bengaluru struck back with an equaliser within five minutes, C John Bosco's 63rd minute penalty corner, cancelling out the lead.
The game stayed level at full time and went to a shoot-out. Hockey Bihar prevailed 3-2 in the shootout to reach the semi finals.
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