Air India, Indian Airlines in
Bombay Gold Cup final

Roshan Tete's goal in the second minute of extra-time enabled defending champions Air India to get the better of Punjab and Sind Bank, Jalandhar, 3-2 and enter the final in the Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mahindra stadium in Mumbai, on Thursday.

In the other semi-final, played earlier, last year's runners-up Indian Airlines proved too good for Tata Sports Club, Mumbai, beating them 4-0 after leading by a solitary goal at half-time.

The Air India-PSB encounter had all the ingredients of a thriller, with four goals coming in the first-half itself. Air India drew first blood in the 21st minute, when centre-half Kishore Kumar scored after receiving a pass from junior India player Vikram Pillay.

The bankmen equalised two minutes later through forward Mandeep Singh Ghuman, who converted the team's first penalty-corner from an indirect variation.

Three minutes later the Mumbai outfit regained the lead when Kishore Kumar was again bang on target off a pass from centre-forward Tushar Khandekar.

With three minutes to go for lemon time, B S Chandi equalised for the bankmen, deflecting a Mandeep Singh Ghuman hit into goal, following the team's second penalty-corner.

With three minutes to go for the hooter, Punjab and Sind Bank had a chance to clinch the issue from their sixth penalty-corner. The high flick, taken by Mandeep Singh Ghuman, was stopped by Vikram Pillay with his hand. The resultant penalty-stroke, taken by Rajinder Singh, was brilliantly saved by the Air India goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza, who dived full length to his right. In fact, Air India owe thanks to D'Souza, who brought off at least three fine saves during the match.

Roshan Tete scored the golden goal in the second minute of extra-time following an indirect penalty-corner variation. Tete took the penalty-corner push and waited near the goal post. After Anil Aldrin sold a dummy, Madan Vishwanathan squared to Vikram Pillay, who found Tete at the post. The last-named received the pass and dispatched to the top of the goal in a jiffy.

In the earlier match, Sameer Dad scored brace while Bimal Lakra and Y S Rawat got a goal apiece as the star-studded Indian Airlines easily beat Tata Sports Club.

Photographs: JEWELLA C MIRANDA

Earlier reports

PSB, Air India enter semi-finals
Tata's, Indian Airlines enter semi-finals
Air India, Punjab and Sind Bank in quarter-finals
Indian Airlines, Tata's storm into last 8