NEW DELHI, India: Border Security Force belied all expectations to beat holders Indian Airlines 21 and win the Nehru Hockey Tournament after a lapse of six years at the Shivaji Stadium here
IT was under the captainship of Aiitpal Singh that BSF has last won the trophy in 1981. The former ace center half watched the team triumph over Airlines who have been winning for the past three years.
Fullback Bhupinder Singh converted two penalty comers which not only ‘wiped off the early third minute lead the holders had gained but provided the winner soon on resumption.
Unmindful of the early setbacks, BSF settled down to purposeful play midway through the first half, restored equality in the 23rd minute and after snatching throughout the second half 50 as to merit their success.
Drawn in the pre quarterfinals, BSF had crossed their first hurdle against Haryana State Electricity Board via tiebreaker, Jost to Mahindra and Mahindra in the opening league match but were back on the ‘winning path brushing aside the Punjab Police and the Soviet Union teams ‘and then crossed the penultimate hurdle by beating Rail Coach Factory in extra time, Yet when they took the field, they were far from fancied and fell in arrears. The fighting spirit in them once again surfaced and it was the defending champions who had to Pay.
In recent years the Airlines had been riding the crest of success. The ‘same is not evident now. They were prevailed upon by the Kapurthala team in the league and were finally tamed by BSF.
Bhupinder Singh was indeed the BSF hero as not only he helped in ‘neutralizing the Airlines advantage bu also struck’ the goal that helped the earn record their fifth cup success. ‘They had earlier won in 1975. 197, 1978 and 1981 and were runners-up in 1979 and 1984.
In contrast to the closing stages. the Airlines had a happy start as during their first penalty cornerhit.2 winger’s Centre was deflected by a defender and Mervyn Fernandes volleyed the ball in, It as a fine connection as the ball ‘Was about knee high.
For a while the exchange were hardly to be level of a cup final, But he excitement was infused when Bhupinder Singh converted the first BSF penalty corner.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 18, 1987
