Chandigarh, October 12, 2018: Punjab National Bank and Indian Air Force set up title clash in the 47th 47th SN Vohra's All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here today.
Scoring one goal in each half Punjab National Bank defeated former champions Punjab Police by 2-0 in the semi-final match. Punjab National Bank forced a penalty corner in the 24th minute which was converted by Sanjay to give his team the breakthrough. N Jen Jen Singh confirmed the lead with a field goal in the 44th minute and sealed the fate of Punjab Police.
In the first semi-final, Indian Air Force were lucky to snatch the final spot at the cost for formidable Punjab and Sind Bank whom they pipped in shoot-out by a narrow 10-9 margin after sharing two goals in the regulation period.
Indian Air Force forged ahead in the 16th minute when they were awarded a penalty corner which was swiftly converted by Ajit Pandit. Punjab and Sind Bank rallied to neutralise the lead in the 44th minute after Jaskaran Singh scored a field goal. The 1-1 draw forced the organisers to order penalty shoot-out to decide the match and IAF just managed to prevail over their rivals.
Tomorrow the final will be played at 4 p.m.