Pune University Enters Historic Final SNBP – 28th Nehru All-India Inter-University Hockey Tournament
Pune, 18th March 2022: Savitribai Phule Pune University created history by making it to their maiden final and will meet former champions Sambalpur University, Sambalpur in the SNBP – 28th Nehru All-India Inter-University Hockey Tournament (Inter-Zonal Final) at the Major Dhyan Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar, Pimpri on Saturday.
In the semi-finals on Friday, Pune University staged a brilliant comeback to down Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal (VBSP) University, Jaunpur 4-3 via the shootout after playing out an exciting 2-2 draw.
Victory for Pune University meant a first for them in 28 years of the competition and became only the second West Zone team to make the final. Earlier, Jawaharlal Nehru PG College Bhopal had made it to the finals on 4 occasions (2007, 2008, 2010, 2013) and emerged champions in 2013.
Pune University began on the backfoot as VBSP University began attacking early. However, after holding out, Pune University conceded a goal when Vejendra Singh (17th) converted a penalty corner.
At halftime, VBSP University held on to the lead.
In the second half, Amit Yadav (36th) doubled the lead and made it 2-0 for VBSP.
Pune University did not give up and fought bravely. Venkatesh Kenche (40th) gave the home side hope, scoring from a direct penalty-corner that beat goalkeeper Prateek Nigam to make it 2-1.
Stepping up their game, Pune University’s Yogesh Borkar had a golden chance to level but missed the opportunity.
On the other end, Pune University survived a scare as Divyansh Shakti Verma with just the Pune University goalkeeper Shivaji Gaikwad ahead, missed the opportunity from close.
Pune University equalised through Rohan Patil (51st) off a penalty corner to make it 2-2.
In the shoot-out, Pune University had Taleb Shah, Harish Shindgi, Ganesh Patil, Raies Mujawar convert their attempts, while VBSP University had Anuj Singh, Arun Sahani, Vejendra Singh score and complete a memorable victory.
For Pune University, Romesh Pillay, who was first to attempt in the shoot-out, missed, while Sakib Mewati and captain Uttam Singh missed for VBSP University.
Later, Sambalpur University downed Lovely Professional University 3-2 in a match that saw all five goals scored in the first half.
Sambalpur University had Nabin Kujur (3rd) give them the lead, converting a penalty corner, which later was increased by Matiyas Dang (25th, 26th) to lead 3-0. Lovely University pulled two goals back through Balkar Singh (28th) and Araijeet Singh (30th) to end the first half, which turned out to be the result at the end.
RESULTS
SF1: Savitribai Phule Pune University: 2 (4) (Venkatesh Kenche 40th, Rohan Patil 51st; Taleb Shah, Harish Shindgi, Ganesh Patil, Raies Mujawar) bt Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal (VBSP) University, Jaunpur: 2 (3) (Vejendra Singh 17th, Amit Yadav 36th; Anuj Singh, Arun Sahani, Vejendra Singh). HT: 1-0
SF2: Sambalpur University, Sambalpur: 3 (Nabin Kujur 3rd, Matiyas Dang 25th, 26th) bt Lovely Professional University Phagwara: 2 (Balkar Singh 28th, Araijeet Singh 30th). HT: 2-2
Saturday’s Fixtures:
Third Place – VBSP University, Jaunpur vs Lovely Professional University, Phagwara – 12.30 pm
Final – Savitribai Phule Pune University vs Sambalpur University, Sambalpur – 2.30 pm
