RSPB edge past PSB for third straight title

New Delhi: Railway Sports Promotion Board edged Punjab and Sind Bank 3-0 via penalty shootout to retain their senior national men's hockey championship crown in Lucknow on Sunday. It was their third consecutive title triumph.

The teams were locked 1-1 in regulation time. In the shootout, PSB came a cropper missing all their shots while Raju Pal, Sheshe Gowda and Nilakanta Sharma scored to clinch the victory for the Railwaymen.

Earlier, the teams began cautiously and gradually increase the pressure hoping to seize the initiative. In the first quarter, PSB struck the first blow when Gaganpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the 15th minute.

Amit Rohidas drew parity for RSPB three minutes later, also off a short corner. The last two quarters saw intense action but no further breakthroughs forcing the game into a shootout.

In the bronze medal play-off earlier in the day, Punjab beat Chandigarh 2-1.
Punjab drew first blood scoring in the ninth minute through Baljinder Singh. Sarbjit Singh doubled their lead at the end of the second quarter as the team led 2-0.

After a goalless third quarter, Damandeep Singh pulled one back for Chandigarh in the 52nd minute, boosting their hopes of a comeback. But despite chances to pull level, Chandigarh were unable to score, enabling Punjab to win.