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Punjab Police claims Dhyan Chand Cup

By Our Special Correspondent

The Punjab Police team which won the Chatrapati Shivaji hockey tournament in New Delhi on Monday.

NEW DELHI JAN. 6. Punjab Police hit back to stop Indian Airlines 2-1 and claimed the Dhyan Chand Cup in the fifth all India Chhatrapati Shivaji hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium here on Monday.

The final, featuring two star-studded teams, produced a mediocre fare. For Punjab Police, it was indeed a creditable victory. The result gave the Jalandhar side its second big title at the expense of Airlines this season. In the Nehru tournament final too, Punjab Police had overwhelmed Airlines at the same venue.

Airlines, looking for revenge, had the better of the exchanges early on and took the lead through its first penalty corner in the 12th minute. Still, it must be said that Airlines was distinctly lucky to find the goal. Mukesh Kumar, on the right of the circle, latched on to a rebound and slammed it in.

But Airlines' joy was short lived. Within four minutes, Punjab Police found the equaliser. Like Airlines, Punjab Police too, converted its first penalty corner, but with a firm first-timer taken by Baljeet Singh Dhillon.

On this day, Airlines frontline, spearheaded by Dhanraj Pillay, was kept in check by the rival defence. There were very few moves from the flanks and every time Airlines tried to penetrate down the middle, the likes of Jugraj Singh and Parabdeep Singh ensured that Punjab Police goal was never in any serious threat.

Punjab Police, clearly the better of the two teams on view today, twice came close to taking the lead via penalty corners but Airlines goalkeeper, the seasoned Ashish Ballal was up to the task.

In the second session, Airlines pressed harder but its efforts proved in vain. Dhanraj, leading a counter-attack down the left-flank, looked dangerous for the only time in the match before he failed to reverse flick the ball into the goal from close to the post.

Three minutes later, it was Punjab Police that succeeded in surging ahead. Following a move from the left-flank, Sarabjit (Sr.) shot in, beating Ballal's outstretched left-leg.

In the remaining 10 minutes of play, Punjab Police packed its defence and left an already frustrated Airlines thoroughly exasperated.

Before the prize-distribution ceremony, two retired sports journalists, Mr K. Jagannadha Rao (Press Trust of India) and Mr V. Srivatsa (The Times of India) were honoured by the Delhi Government.

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