Super XI enter last four with IT

PUNE: Super XI sprung a surprise by downing fancied Bombay Engineers Group, Khadki, while Income Tax, Pune had an easy outing against Prabhakar Aspat Academy to advance into the semi-finals of the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Hockey Tournament.

On Wednesday, a determined Super XI did well to play out a 2-2 draw against BEG, Khadki in regular time before winning the ensuing penalty shoot-out at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium Nehru Nagar-Pimpri. The final score read 6-4.

BEG, Khadki were the first to lead when Basant Tirkey (10th) scored of a penalty corner. However, sixteen minutes later Super XI levelled terms when they Akash Sapkal (26th) converted a penalty-stroke to level the game 1-1 at the half way mark.

On the switch over, Super Xi had Akash (31st) score early and help Super XI lead 2-1. But then, BEG, Khadki struck back when Rishab Sahu (33rd) levelled terms 2-2.

In the penalty shoot-out, Super XI had Amol Bhosale, Uday Baramitikar, Omkar Musale, Akash Sapkal convert their efforts, while BEG, Khadki had Avnish Kumar, Ajit Shinde gain success.

In another match, Income Tax, Pune rode past Prabhakar Aspat Academy with a collective effort. A brace by Sonu Dalal (4th and 45th) and a goal each by Ashutesh Jignesh (1st), Nitin Kumar (8th), Ajitesh Roy (12th), Abhishek (16th), Atharva Kamble (50th) and Santosh Kasture (58th) made up a one-sided scoreline.

In the third match of the day, Green Meadows booked a spot in the quarterfinals with a 4-0 win over Priyadarshini Sports Centre, Khadki. A goal each by Stephan Swamy (21st), Sachin Bhavdave (43rd), Gaurav Kamble (50th) and Datta Shinde (52nd) was enough to seal the issue for Green Meadows.

There will be no matches on Thursday, matches resume on Friday.

RESULTS
Super XI: 2, 4 (Akash Sapkal 26th, 31st; Amol Bhosale, Uday Baramitikar, Omkar Musale, Akash Sapkal) bt Bombay Engineers Group, Khadki: 2, 2 (Basant Tirkey 10th; Rishab Sahu 33rd; Avnish Kumar, Ajit Shinde). HT: 0-1
Income Tax, Pune: 8 (Ashutesh Jignesh 1st; Sonu Dalal 4th, 45th; Nitin Kumar 8th; Ajitesh Roy 12th; Abhishek 16th; Atharva Kamble 50th; Santosh Kasture 58th) bt Prabhakar Aspat Academy: 0. HT: 1-0
Green Meadows: 4 (Stephan Swamy 21st; Sachin Bhavdave 43rd; Gaurav Kamble 50th; Datta Shinde 52nd) bt Priyadarshini Sports Centre, Khadki: 0.