Barla slams golden goal in Sambalpur win

Severan Barla’s golden goal helped Sambalpur edge past Orissa Police 3-2 in a quarterfinal match of the State Hockey Championship for Nalco Cup at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack today. Barla scored the decisive goal in the extra time after play in the regulation time ended in a 2-2 draw. Sambalpur took the lead also through Barla, while the second goal for the side was struck by Sushil Tirkey. For Orissa Police, Sanjib Barla and Bijay Kumar Ekka sounded the board once each. Sundargar and Rourkela Steel Plant completed the semifinal line-up, outplaying Phulbani 5-0 and Dhenkanal 2-0 respectively. Aman Tirkey, Binod Pradhan, Amulya Minz, Bikash Kujur and S Victor Minz scored the five goals for Sundargarh, while the two goals for Rourkela Steel Plant were executed by Sanjit Kujur (7th minute) and Jeeban Ekka (33rd minute). In the semifinals tomorrow, defending champions Angul will meet Rourkela Steel Plant and Sambalpur will take on Sundargarh.