The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

SPORTS

Union Academy score thumping victory
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, January 23
Union Academy Senior Secondary School, New Delhi scored a thumping 11-0 victory against DMDG Municipal High School, Valsad (Gujarat) to qualify for the Super League of the 30th Nehru-Nestle Junior Hockey Tournament at the Shivaji Stadium in the Capital on Wednesday.

In another match, SKCASV Inter-College, Varanasi toyed with St. Joseph’s High School, Calangute (Goa) 5-0, after leading by 3-0 at half time, in a Pool IV match. They have also made it into the Super League.

SKCASV Inter-College opened their account through Sajid Khan in the 19th minute while Shamsher Khan made it 2-0.

He also added the third goal just before half time while Ameer Hayat made it 4-0 mid-way through the second half. Sajid Khan completed the tally in the 53rd minute.

In a Pool III match, Union Academy went berserk against Valsad, scoring goals at their sweet will. Subhir Kumar, who scored the first goal in the 11th minute, also accounted for the fifth goal, while Amit Kumar scored the second and fourth goals, with Imran Ansari coming up with the third goal.

Sandeep Kumar and Dansih scored the sixth and seventh goals to complete the first-half scoring. In the second half, Sunil Kumar, Parveen Dabas, Dansih and Rohit Sharma scored in that order to complete their mammoth victory.

Shah Satnamji Boys School, Sirsa (Haryana) also qualified for the Super League due to the withdrawal of Khalsa High School, Kolkata as the latter were plagued by injuries to their players.

Thursday’s fixtures: CAB Inter-College, Meerut vs V.S. Agriculture School, Khera Garhi (Delhi) (12 noon); Union Academy School, New Delhi vs Shah Satnamji Boys School, Sirsa (1.30 p m); Inter-College, Varanasi vs CRZ Sr. Sec. School, Sonepat (3 pm)—Ambedkar Stadium.

Feroze, Ghei lead in ProGolf
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, January 23
Feroze Ali put together a scintillating four-under 68, a new course record, under severely windy conditions, to join Gaurav Ghei in the lead at the midway stage of the Rs 8-lakh HT ProGolf at the Jaypee Greens course. In the 17th leg of the Hero Honda Indian Golf Tour’s 2001-2002 season, the leaders enjoyed a three-stroke advantage at four-under 140.

Overnight joint-leader, Vijay Kumar, slipped down two spots to tied third along with rookie Rahil Gangjee at one-under 143.

Veteran Delhi golfer Rohtas Singh matched Feroz’s effort of 68 to leap upto tied fifth place with Digvijay Singh and Shiv Prakash at level par 144.

The cut was applied at 11-over 155, with 52 professionals making it to the money-making rounds. Feroze Ali, after an ordinary start to the season, came back with a bang to win the Surya Nepal Masters, Kathmandu. He then began the year 2002 in style, by defending his title for the second successive year at the Hero Honda Open, Pune.

He played immaculate golf with control over the ball to set himself up for yet another title bid, on Wednesday.

Feroz played exceptionally well, returning birdies on the 13th, 17th and then the 1st, 6th and 9th with a missed three-feet par putt on the 14th handing him his only dropped shot of the day.

Gaurav Ghei birdied the 6th on his outward journey, with two more birdies on the 12th and 17th sandwiching a bogey on the 16th on his return journey.

Rahil Gangjee is almost certain to take home the year-ending ‘Rookie of the Year’ award. However, that did not deter him from putting up a fine display.

His front-nine consisted of a long birdie on the sixth, which he followed up with birdies on the 12th and 14. He bogeyed the 16.

Garry Chatfield, the Australian Greens Superintendent at the Jaypee Green Resort, led the amateur field for the second day in succession with a tally of 10-over 154. Chatfield played to six over 78. At second spot was Arjun Singh at 14-over 158.

Nationals qualify for Durand Cup
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, January 23
Defending champions SAIL-Indian Nationals Club maintained a clean slate when they beat Shahdara Club 2-0 in the last match of Group B preliminary league of the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA)-SAIL Senior Division Football League Championship at the Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital on Wednesday.

Nationals completed their preliminary league matches, logging 15 points from seven matches, to top the group, and qualify for the Durand Cup. Tarun Sangha, who edged out Shahdara on the basis of goal difference, also qualified for the Durand Cup.

Both the teams had collected 11 points each from seven matches.

Though Indian Air Force (New Delhi) finished second in Group B with 13 points, they will play in the Durand Cup from Services quota. Nationals, IAF, Tarun Sangha, Shahdara, Garhwal Heroes and Mughals have qualified for the Super League, which will begin after the Durand Cup in February.

Nationals, dominating the match against Shahdara, scored the first goal through Aurjinder Singh, after missing a couple of close chances, while Nigerian Cassious Akuma Owino completed the tally in the second half.

Thursday’s fixture: Hindustan vs Moonlight (2.30 pm)—Ambedkar Stadium.

ICICI short-change American Express

New Delhi, January 23
Vikas Prashad played a stellar role with the bat (79, 8x4, 5x6) with Sunil giving able support with the ball (3/26) to guide ICICI to a thrilling four-run victory against American Express in the Teri Cup Cricket Tournament at the Teri Oval in Gurgaon.

ICICI won the toss and opted to bat. They made 178 for 9 in 25 overs with Vikas Prashad and Ruchir Kapoor making mincemeat of the American Express bowling. American Express, in reply, made 174 for 8 in 25 overs with Ritesh Soin contributing a brilliant 76. But in the end, his knock went in vain as American Express paid a heavy penalty for scoring their runs rather slowly. Vikas Prashad was adjudged the man of the match. Scores: ICICI: 178/9 in 25 overs (Vikas Prashad 79, Ruchir Kapoor 29, Shiraj Khanna 3/34). American Express: 174/8 in 25 overs (Ritesh Soin 76, 5x4, 4x6, Anand Kulkarni 52, Sunil 3/26). OC