Team Orisports 02-May-2010 253
A spirited SAIL Hockey Academy (Rourkela) pipped South Central Railway (Hyderabad) 5-4 in the high-voltage final to retain the title in the 2nd Six-a-side Floodlight Hockey Tournament at Kalinga Stadium here tonight.
The fast-paced match was decided via sudden-death after both the sides scored one goal each in the 40-minute regulation time and converted three penalty strokes apiece in the tie-breaker. Arvind Kerketta gave SAIL Academy the lead in the first half, while international Belsajar Horo equalised for the Hyderabad side after the change of ends.
SAIL Academy`s hard-earned victory lost some of its lusture due to unrully behaviour by their players and coach Rajukant Saini. While protesting against the equaliser, SAIL players shoved the umpire and then staged a walk-out under the instuction of their volatile coach, making a sizeable crowd, the organises and the guests very much annoyed.
However, a lot of persuation combined with a couple of warnings forced the SAIL side change their mind and resume the game after a disruption of about 15 minutes. The champion side received top prize of Rs 20,000, while the runners-up took home Rs 15,000. Losing semifinalists Panposh Sports Hostel and East Coast Railway became richer by Rs 7,500 each, while man of the tournament Sanjit Kujur (SAIL Academy) was given Rs 5,000.
