Hockey: Shivender stars in Air India’s win

Bangalore, Oct 11 (IANS) Former India forward Shivender Singh rescued Air India with a three-goal strike to help his team beat Bharat Petroleum 4-2 for their first win in Hockey Karnataka’s inaugural Bengaluru Cup All-India invitational hockey tournament here Saturday.

BPCL twice took the lead when Amir Khan scored in the eighth minute and later William Xalco converted a 31st minute penalty corner.

But Air India, who had lost to Indian Oil Friday, responded in style as Shivender Singh scored thrice in the 24th, 45th and 48th minutes before another former India player Samir Dad struck the fourth goal in the 66th to round off a fine outing.

Earlier, in the women’s section, Haryana, with three Indian players in its ranks, swamped Tamil Nadu, mostly comprising of youngsters, 16-1, scoring eight goals in each half.

In the other women’s matches, Central Railway drew with M.P. Academy 3-3 while Karnataka converted three penalty corners in the second half to hold Western Railway 3-3.

For the hosts, Komala BM, who braved an injury to the nose, scored two goals from the set-piece drills. Teena KR scored from the other penalty corner from a rebound after Komala’s first hit. Pooja Ravi, Namita Toppo and Lilly Chanu M scored for the visitors.

Results:
Men: Air India 4 (Shivender Singh 3, Samir Dad) beat BPCL 2 (Amir Khan, William Xalxo).

Women: Haryana 16 (Monika D 3, Jyoti Gupta 3, Jaspreet 3, Monika 2, Nickey 2, Ritu Rani 2, Neha 1) beat Tamil Nadu 1 (Jaya Lakshmi).

Central Railway 3 (Vandana Kataria, Yendala Soundarya, Sandeep Kaur) drew with MP Academy 3 (Reena Khokhar, Shivani Singh, Karishma Singh).

Karnataka 3 (Komala BM 2, Teena KR) drew with Western Railway 3 (Pooja Ravi, Namita Toppo, Lilly Chanu M).