Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 11

Indian Air Force will face Punjab Police in the final of the inaugural Marshal Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament here on Saturday.In the semifinals played here on Friday, Punjab Police registered a 6-3 win over Indian Navy, while IAF overcame South Central (SC) Railway 2 -1. Gurvinder Singh Chandi scored the opening goal for Punjab Police in the 8th minute of the match, but Indian Navy restored the parity just two later through Parteek Singh. Punjab Police regained the lead in the 22nd minute with a Gurbaj Singh strike before Karanbir Singh made it 3-1 for the side in the 34th minute. Indian Navy tried their best to make a comeback into the match and finally succeeded in reducing the deficit when Mohit Singh struck for the side in the 53rd minute. However, back-to-back goals by Dharmvir Singh (55th and 58th minute) dented their hopes of revival. Rana Pratap scored a goal for the side in the 59th minute but it was never going to be sufficient as Jasjit Singh Khullar struck for Punjab police in the 68th minute to seal an easy 6-3 win for the team. Dharmavir was adjudged the Best Player of the match.In the second semifinal, Sukhdev Singh scored a brace to help the hosts IAF beat South Central Railway. Sukhdev netted the first goal in the 18th minute and completed a brace in the 44th minute to put IAF 2-0 ahead.MG Poonacha reduced the deficit in the 49th but the IAF held on to the slender lead for the remaining part of the game to set up the title clash with Punjab Police.  IAF goalkeeper Pooanna PE was named the Best Player of the match.