Nagpur News : South East Central Railway (SECR) Nagpur and Maharashtra XI defeated their respective rivals to move into the semi-finals of the 1st All India VHA-Nagpur Gold Cup Hockey Tournament on Wednesday. The tournament is organized by Vidarbha Hockey Association and is being held under the aegis of Hockey India.
In the first quarter-final of the day, SECR Nagpur thrashed Rajnandgaon 6-2. At the half time the city railmen were leading by 2-1.
For SECR Irshad Mirza (2nd, 61st), Sheikh Imran (31st PC), Shadab Khan (43rd), Karan Kushwaha (57th, 69th) scored while Naveen Tirkey (4th) and Rajesh Nimbalkar (44th) reduced the margin for Rajnandgaon.
In the second quarter-final, Maharashtra XI rallied to beat South Central Railway, Secundrabad 5-4 in an edge of the seat encounter. At half-time both the teams were locked at 2-2.
For Maharashtra XI Rajendra Pawar (10th, Narad Bahadur (17th), Sadiq Sheikh (56th, PC), Navneet Swarankar (61st, 69th) scored. SC Railway, Secundrabad, Mayank James (7th, 34th), MG Punacha 41st PC, 47th) scored.
On Thursday: 3rd Quarter-final: Chennai XI vs SAI, Sundergarh at 2.30 pm
2nd Quarter-final: Pomposh, Rourkela vs Dhyanchand Hockey Academy, Nagpur at 4 pm.