Lucknow: Namdhari XI continued their winning spell by defeating Rajasthan 3-1 in their last Pool A match to book a semi-final berth in the National Hockey Championship (Division B) at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium here Monday.
With their fourth consecutive win, Namdhari XI stayed on top of the points table in Pool A.
The match started with Rajasthan scoring the first goal (29th minute) via Saif Ali Khan. Namdhari XI increased the momentum and were awarded a penalty stroke in the 35th minute. Santa Singh put the ball past goalkeeper Sachin Saroha, helping them to equalise going into halftime.
The second half saw Namdhari XI attack from the start and in the 42nd minute the team was awarded a penalty corner which was converted by Bhagat Singh Dhillon. Namdhari XI scored again (65th) through Santa, who did not lose the opportunity to score a brilliant field goal.
Later in Pool B, Mumbai drew 1-1 against Jammu & Kashmir which finally got the first goal of the match (53rd) in the second half by Amrinder Singh but Mumbai equalised (63rd) through Kuldeep.
In Wednesday's semi-finals, Namdhari XI will take on Gangpur-Odisha before Mumbai face Maharashtra for the final berth.
Results:
Pool A: Namdhari XI 3 beat Rajasthan 1; Bihar 5 beat Sashastra Seema Bal 5
Pool B: Mumbai 1 drew Jammu & Kashmir 1; Himachal Pradesh 2 beat Uttarakhand 1
