Punjab emerge champions in senior hockey nationals

An own goal in the second minute of extra-time helped Punjab register a 2-1 victory over Air India and claim the Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship title on Tuesday.

An own goal in the second minute of extra-time helped Punjab register a 2-1 victory over Air India and claim the Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship title on Tuesday.

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After a barren first-half, Punjab took the lead through Prabhdeep Singh in the 36th minute before Air India scored an equaliser a couple of minutes later when Vinaya Vokkaliga (38th min) converted a penalty corner.

With the regulation period ending in a 1-1 deadlock, the extra-time was enforced and in the second minute, Gurbaaj Singh’s hard hit from the right went into the goal off defender Joga Singh’s stick.

Earlier, Karnataka beat defending champions champions Haryana 2-1 to finish third in the tournament. Karnataka scored once in each half.