New Delhi: The young and inexperienced Punjab & Sind Bank relied on grit and spirit as they downed Bharat Petroleum 6-5 (33) via a penalty shootout in the final of the Torex 50th Nehru senior men's hockey tournament here on Monday evening.
Skipper Vikramjeet Singh was the toast of PSB, bringing them back into the game with a 57th-minute equaliser, before holding his nerve to score the final penalty that helped his team to the title after a gap of six years.
In the shootout, Bharat Petroleum appeared to be going well with Ravipal and Pundalik Bellary converting the first two shots, while Karamjit missed out for PSB. The next three, off the sticks of BP's Amar Aiyamma, Jernail Singh and Varun Kumar, were a nought as the Bankmen struck through Parvinder and Vikramjeet.
That the team were missing four key players, including regular goalkeeper Harjot Singh -all preparing for the Junior World Cup here next month -spoke highly of the young team, who had a decent run throughout.
On the day, Bharat Petroleum dominated for most parts of the game, but PSB played the catchup game well. Let down by an own goal as early as in the sixth minute, Bharat Petroleum struck back through Gurpreet Singh (8th) and striker Aiyamma (20th), the latter announcing his retirement from domestic hockey after 15 years with the Oilmen.
The midfield held well for Bharat Petroleum with Ravipal working tirelessly. The Oilmen made things difficult for PSB, who looked to open up gaps. They were finally rewarded after the change of ends, as Ajit Pandit scored off a solo effort in the 41st minute.
Aiyamma (43rd) though did not waste time scoring off a counter attack.
It however, wasn't the perfect farewell for the proficient striker, who was guilty of a wrong clearance inside their own Dee, resulting in a penalty corner in the 57th minute. Vikramjeet made no mistake fetching the crucial equaliser.
Earlier, propelled by skipper Deepak Thakur's hat-trick, Indian Oil posted a 9-0 win over South Central Railway to finish third.
Vikramjeet was named the player of the tournament.
