CAG book semi-final berth in senior men`s hockey

Lucknow: Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) defeated last year runners-up Punjab 3-1 to enter the semifinals of the 4th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium on Wednesday.

Punjab drew first blood in the Pool B contest when Parvinder Singh scored a field goal in the 32nd minute. CAG, who struggled in the first half, showed remarkable composure to make a comeback in the second period. CAG levelled the score in the 42nd minute when they converted a penalty corner through Darshan D S. Darshan gave his side the lead in the 63rd minute through another penalty-corner strike. Sarvjeet Singh (69th) scored in the dying moments to register their fourth win in a row. Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy overcame Manipur 3-2 in their Pool A match. MPHA came back strongly in the second half to take away the match from Manipur who were leading by 2-0. Manipur had a comfortable lead with Laiba Singh and Heera Singh scoring in the 21st and 29th minutes respectively. In the second-half, however, Vikas Chaudhary (38th, 41st and 51st minute) scored a hat-trick to turn the game in MPHA`s favour. Earlier, Air India Sports Promotion Board routed Association of Indian Universities by 7-2 in Pool A. Results of the day: Pool B ? Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 3 Vikas Chaudhary (38, 41 and 51 min) Vs. Manipur 2 Laiba Singh (21 min) and Heera Singh K (29 min) Comptroller & Auditor General 3 Darshan D S (42, 63), Sarvjeet Singh (69 min) vs Punjab 1 Parvinder Singh (32 min) Pool A ? Air India Sports Promotion Board 7 Shivener Singh (11, 29 and 45 min), Birender Lakra (24 min), Sameer Dad (26 Min), Gaganpreet Singh (33 min), Girish Pimpale (43 min) Vs Association of Indian Universities 2 Gurjinder Singh (4 min) and Gagandeep Singh (8 min).