Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 13: Formidable Punjab will lock horns with spirited SSB in the title-clash of the 61st All India Police Hockey Championship, being organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Police Department at KK Hakhu Astroturf Stadium, here.
Earlier, in the first semifinals played today, SSB blanked Jammu and Kashmir by four goals to nil (4-0) in an easy contest. SSB players dominated from the word go and pelted the first goal in 10th minute of the match through Ajit Singh, which was followed by consecutive three goals by Kishor Lakra in 39th, 46th and 66th minute of the match, to help their side win by (4-0). The J&K players though tried their level best to reduce the margin, yet failed to beat the strong defence of the rivals.
In another semifinal match, the strong side of Punjab defeated almost equally balanced team of BSF in a tough contest by three goals to one (3-1). Hatinder Singh of BSF netted the first goal in 3rd minute of the match to give his side an early lead. But Punjab team, which has the likes of International players in Jugraj Singh, Rajpal Singh and likes, came back strongly and dominated the rest of the match, to finally win it by three goals to one (3-1). For Punjab, Rajpal Singh netted the goal in 18th minute, Jaskaran Singh scored the goal in 39th minute and Jugraj Singh in the 69th minute.
The matches were officiated by Virender Kumar, Vijay Kishor, Jagit Singh Reen, Imtiaz-Ud-din, VP Sharma, Tabrez Sher, Anil Kumar, Naveed Zia, Mohd Amin, Avinath, Ranbir Singh, Ripudaman, Deepak Kumar, Suresh Thakur, Dalbir Mehta, Charanjeet Singh and Sanjay Bhatia.
Meanwhile, in the hard-liner to be played tomorrow, J&K will face BSF at 9am tomorrow, while in the finals, SSB will take on Punjab at 3pm tomorrow.
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