The visiting side ofPoonch today stunned the equally good Jammu South to qualify for the semifinalsof the ongoing J&K Hockey Championship, organized by Hockey J&K andsponsored by the J&K Sports Council at K K Hakhu Stadium, here.
The most interesting gameof the tournament, the fourth quarterfinal of the day was decided in suddendeath 6-5 after the thrilling contest ended in a 3-3 draw in the stipulatedtime.
The never give up attitudeof the Poonch salvaged the win from the jaws of defeat after Jammu South were comfortablyplaced at 3-2 and slowling moving towards a visible victory. It was in the 52ndminute of the game when Poonch brought in the equalizer to the surprise ofotherwise comfortably placed local team.
Earlier, Jammu South took thefirst lead in the very sixth minute through Surinder Singh, but soon came the equalizerfrom Vishu Sharma in the 11th minute. It was followed second goalfrom Poonch in the 17th minute and this time Jammu South leveled thescore and then took the lead sounding the board in the 22nd and 32ndminute making it a 3-2 lead.
Finding the side introuble, youngsters from Poonch fought back with renewed energies to level thescore 3-3 with goal coming in 52 minute via penalty corner.
Other three teams qualifyingfor the semifinals included Jammu North, Kathua and J&K Police. Now, in thesemifinals, slated for tomorrow, Jammu North shall take on Poonch while J&KPolice shall be playing against Kathua.
Other Results:Quarterfinals: Jammu North beat Anantnag 6-0; J&K Police beat Baramulla7-0; Kathua beat Jammu West 4-3.
The FIXTURE:Semifinals: Jammu North v/s Poonch at 2.30 pm; J&K Police V/S Kathua at 4.00pm.