HOCKEY | Jharkhand bests Chandigarh in a clash that initially failed to live up to its billing

: Jharkhand beat Chandigarh 2-0 in a Pool F match of the Hockey India-13th Senior National men's championship. Bengal also won 10-0 against J&K in Pool E. Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu, Telangana also won their respective matches.

It was dubbed as the match to look out for in the Hockey India-13th Senior National men’s championship here on Wednesday. For, the winner would potentially top Group F and enter the quarterfinals.

The Jharkhand and Chandigarh contest on Wednesday, however, did not live up to expectations in the first two quarters as the score remained goalless. But in the remaining two quarters, the tie came to full life as Jharkhand scripted a fantastic 2-0 win.

From the third quarter, Jharkhand upped the ante with smart quick moves that took the Chandigarh defence by surprise. In one such counter-attack, Prem Kerketta converted from a melee in the box.

Chandigarh had an excellent chance to equalise after it earned a penalty stroke soon after. In the subsequent video referral, the stroke was not awarded. Jharkhand effectively put it across Chandigarh after a fierce cross from the right by Joseph Kongari saw it being deftly deflected in by Anurad Bhengra.

Earlier, Bengal posted its second successive victory in a Group E tie, with a majestic 10-0 triumph over Jammu & Kashmir. Bengal will clash with Manipur on Thursday and the winner will top the group and enter the knockouts.

The results: Group A: Chhattisgarh 11 (Sukhdev Nirmalkar 4, 49, Junaid Ahmed 8, 34, 39, Khogeshwar Bag 9, 36, Arbaj Ali 20, Ajay Tandi 25, Taufiq Ahmad 38, Rohit Rajak 60) bt Gujarat 3 (Shubham Yadav 1, Ahir Jenishkumar 11, Ajaykumar Thakor 41).