Hockey: Savitribai Phule Pune University and Punjabi University make Kos, Pool-D still wide open for last-8 berths

Pune, 14th March 2022: Savitribai Phule University, Pune and Punjabi University scored contrasting wins to enter the knock-outs (quarterfinals) of the SNBP – 28th Nehru All-India Inter-University Hockey Tournament (Inter-Zonal Final) at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar, Pimpri on Monday.

In a one-sided game, Pune University (Savitribai Phule) hammered Banaras Hindu University 10-0 win, while unbeaten Punjabi University, Amritsar won a close 4-3 win over SRM University, Chennai.

Punjabi University (6 points; 2 matches), Pune University (6 points; 3 matches) made the quarterfinals from Pool-C, while SRM University, Chennai (3 points; 3 matches) and Banaras Hindu University (0 points; 2 matches) exit.

The tournament is being conducted in collaboration with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), under the aegis of Hockey India and title sponsored by SNBP Group of Institutes, Pune.

Needing a win to qualify, Pune University was helped by a 5-goal effort by skipper Taleb Shah (17th, 26th, 35th, 42nd, 49th) and a 3-goal contribution from Prajwal Moharkar that was enough to squash East Zone fourth place qualifiers Banaras Hindu University.  Gufran Shaikh (54th) and Karan Durga (56th) added to the tally.

In the other match in Pool-C, Punjabi University, Patiala staged a comeback to pip SRM University in a seven-goal thriller.

Punjabi University had Michael Topno (13th), Harmeet Singh (35th) score, while Jeeva Kumar (20th), M Hariharan (39th) levelled the scores for SRM University to share honours 2-2.

Amit B (40th) converted a penalty corner to push SRM University into a 3-2 lead.

However, two goals in a span of 2 minutes, first by Mahakdeep Singh (48th) off a penalty corner and then Suraj Kumar (50th) was enough to level and win the match for Punjabi University.

Pool-D, meanwhile, is still wide for qualification after defending champions MG Kashi Vidhyapit, Varanasi and Lovely Professional University Phagwara played out a 3-3 draw and Bangalore University, Bengaluru pipped University of Mumbai 2-1.

In a close encounter and exciting encounter, Lovely University took the lead through Boby Dhami Singh (19th). MG Kashi Vidyapit struck back with two goals via Amit Kumar Yadav (23rd) and Vishnu Kant Singh (30th) to lead 2-1 at halftime.

In the second half, it was Lovely University’s turn to score twice. Akashdeep Singh (42nd) off a penalty corner and Bhushan Sharma (51st) made it 3-2.

Five minutes from the final hooter, MG Kashi Vidyapith force a penalty stroke which  Dhananjoy Meitei (55th) converted to share points.

In the second match of the Pool-D, Bangalore University, Bengaluru rode on two penalty corner conversions one in each half by Mohammed Fahad (30th, 42nd) to hand the University of Mumbai their second loss in three matches.

The University of Mumbai reduced the margin through Bhim Bahadur Batala (47th).

After today’s matches, Pool-D has Lovely University (4 points; 2 matches) in the lead, followed by MG Kashi Vidhyapit, Varanasi (4 points; 3 matches), Bangalore University, Bengaluru (3 points; 2 matches) and University of Mumbai (3 points; 2 matches).

RESULTS

Pool-C: Savitribai Phule University, Pune:  10 (Prajwal Mohakar 7th, 29th, 31st; Taleb Shah 17th, 26th, 35th, 42nd, 49th; Gufran Shaikh 54th; Karan Durga 56th) bt Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 0. HT: 4-0

Pool-C: Punjabi University, Patiala 4 (Michael Topno 13th; Harmeet Singh 35th; Mahakdeep Singh 48th; Suraj Kumar 50th) bt SRM University, Chennai: 3 (Jeeva Kumar 20th; M Hariharan 39th; Amit B 40th). HT: 1-1

Pool-D: Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi: 3 (Amit Kumar Yadav 23rd; Vishnu Kant Singh 30th; Dhananjoy Meitei 55th) drew with Lovely Professional University, Phagwara: 3 (Boby Dhami Singh 19th; Akashdeep Singh 42nd; Bhushan Sharma 51th). HT: 2-1

Pool-D: Bangalore University, Bengaluru: 2 (Mohammed Fahad 30th, 42nd) bt University of Mumbai: 1 (Bhim Bahadur Batala 47th). HT:

QUALIFIERS SO FAR…

Pool-A: Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (7 points); VBSP University, Jaunpur (6 points)

Pool-B: Bangalore City University, Bengaluru (6 points)

Pool-C: Punjabi University, Patiala (6 points); Savitribai Phule University, Pune (6 points)

—

TUESDAY’S FIXTURES

Pool-A: LNIPE, Gwalior vs Manonmaniam Sundarnar University, Tirunelveli  – 10.00 a.m

Pool-B: Sambhalpur University, Sambhalpur vs Parul University, Vadodara – 11.30

Pool-C: Punjabi University, Patiala vs Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 1.30 p.m

Pool-D: Bangalore University, Bangalore vs Lovely Professional University, Phagwara – 3.00 p.m