Army XI shock Indian Airlines

Army XI on Tuesdy ambushed favourites Indian Airlines 4-3 via the tie-breaker to move into the semi-finals of the Nehru hockey tournament in Delhi.

Goalkeeper Deepak Lakra pulled off a brilliant diving save from the first 'stroke' by Virender Singh, and the third by Sameer Dad hit the left post and went out.

Though Airlines' star 'keeper Ashish Ballal saved the first penalty by Ranjit Bhengra, he failed to save more attempts from the spot.

Mohammed Riaz, Len Aiyappa and Shakeel Ahmed converted for Airlines while I Tirkey, Avtar Singh and Cipirin Aind were on target for Army. At 3-3, Army's Ponacha had to beat Ballal with the fifth and last penalty and his perfect scoop found the right corner of the cage.

The teams were locked goalless at the end of regulation time and the deadlock continued with both sides failing to score in the 15 minutes' extra-time.

In the other quarter-final, Indian Oil mauled Sikh Regimental Centre 6-0 to move into the semis, where they will play Army XI.

Airlines, who were tipped to move into the last four, were in for a surprise against Army, who last year lost to eventual winners Punjab and Sind Bank. The Army defence guarded their goal while their forwards breathed down the Airline defence.

The fatal lapse for Airlines came in the 47th minute, when Len Aiyappa wasted a penalty stroke. His scoop towards the goalkeeper's right compeletely missed the target.

Otherwise, the famed Airlines forward line, propelled by Mukesh Kumar and Sameer Dad, found few holes in the defence led by Ponacha. They could force just two penalty-corners in the whole match while conceding seven.