Maharastra joined Hockey Gangpur – Odisha in the
semifinals of the 4th Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship after
they played out a 3-3 draw against Delhi at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey
Stadium in Lucknow.
Maharastra started strongly and held a 2-0 lead at half-time thanks to a brace from Navneet Swarnkar, the first of which came as early as the second minute of play. Delhi came out firing in the second half and reduced the deficit through Abhishek in the 38th minute. However, Maharastra ensured Delhi’s goal-scoring joy was short-lived after captain Vishal Pillay enhanced the lead in the 42nd minute.
Just when it seemed that Maharastra were well on course to pull off a win, Delhi nullified all their plans scoring twice in a space of five minutes to bring things on an even kneel. Abhishek scored his second goal of the day to make the scoreline 2-3 before Meet Singh produced the equalizer in the 47th minute.
The remained twenty-three minutes of play failed to break the logjam as both teams shared the honours. With this win, Maharastra nosed ahead of Chhattisgarh, who were locked with the former at 11 points on the eve of this game.
In another Pool ‘D’ tie of the debutants, Central Reserve Police Force humbled Vidarbha Hockey Association 4-0. Bengal pipped Assam 3-0 in a Pool ‘C’ game.
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