Pune: Defending champions MG Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi crashed out, Sambalpur University qualified in style, Punjabi University, Patiala took the top spot by remaining the only team to finish with an all-win record as the knock-outs (quarterfinals) line-up was completed in the SNBP – 28th Nehru All-India Inter-University Hockey Tournament (Inter-Zonal Final) at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar, Pimpri on Tuesday.

The tournament is being conducted in collaboration with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), under the aegis of Hockey India and the title sponsored by SNBP Group of Institutes, Pune.The final group encounter brought a dramatic end to the day, which saw MG Kashi Vidyapit exit after Bangalore University, Bangalore won an 11-goal thriller against Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 6-5.

The result helped Bangalore (6 points) top Pool-D, while Lovely Professional University (4 points) pipped MG Kashi Vidyapit (4 points) on higher goals scored after both finished level on goal difference (0). Lovely Professional University with 10 goals scored went through as Kashi Vidyapith had netted 8 goals.The game followed a score-equalise sequence all through the match. Bangalore University began through Mohammed Fahad AV (5th), which was levelled by Dhami Boby Singh (7th) by Lovely Professional University 1-1.

Bangalore added Somanna B.P (14th), Chiranth Somanna N.D (19th, ; 25th), while Lovely had Nishant (15th), Jagraj Singh (23rd), Balkar Singh (29th) score to level the score 4-4 at halftime.Changing ends, Shamanth C.S (33rd) scored for Bangalore and Vishal Yadav (36th) for Lovely Professional University. The match winner was struck by Shamanth C.S (41st).Earlier, the first up to qualify on the last day of group matches was Sambalpur University thrashed Parul University, Vadodra 11-1. The result gave unbeaten Sambhalpur the top place in Pool-B after accumulating 7 points (2 wins and 1 draw). The second place was taken by Bangalore City University (6 points).

Sambalpur rode on two 3-goal efforts by Sunil Jojo (30th, 60th, 60th) and Nitesh (42nd, 44th, 45th) to hand Parul University their third defeat of the competition.The winners had Prajukt Nag (8th) give them the lead, before Pataras Tirkey (15th), Matiyas Dang (25th) and Sunil Jojo made it 4-0 at half time.Changing ends, Bikash Lakra (37th), a hat-trick by Nitesh (3 goals), Xess Gregory (52nd) and two more from Sunil completed the tally.  For Parul University, Viraj Sisodia (38th) reduced the margin.

Parul University in three pool matches conceded 46 goals!

Pool-C saw the already qualified Punjabi University, Patiala route Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 6-1. As a result, Punjabi University finished with an all-win record and logged 9 points to top Pool-C. Pune University (6 points) took the second spot.Punjabi University got off to a good start with Vikas (2nd) giving them the lead. Banaras Hindu University made it 1-1 through Anwarullah Shah (19th).However, thereafter it was Punjabi University all the way with Mahakdeep Singh (25th),;  Hashim (30th), Suraj Kumar (40th), Gurvinder Singh (49th), Sumit Saini (56th) netting a goal each.

In an inconsequential Pool-A match, Manonmaniam Sundarnar University, Tirunelveli downed LNIPE, Gwalior 3-1

RESULTS

Pool-A: Manonmaniam Sundarnar University, Tirunelveli: 3 (Ajitk Kumar M 15th; Nishi Deva Arul 43rd; Thanga Pandiyan S 55th) bt LNIPE, Gwalior: 1 (Tirth Upadhayay). HT: 1-0

Pool-B: Sambhalpur University, Sambhalpur: 11 (Prajukt Nag 8th; Pataras Tirkey 15th; Matiyas Dang 25th; Sunil Jojo 30th, 60th, 60th; Bikash Lakra 37th; Nitesh 42nd, 44th, 45th; Xess Gregory 52nd) bt Parul University, Vadodara: 1 (Viraj Sisodia 38th). HT: 4-0

Pool-C: Punjabi University, Patiala: 6 (Vikas 2nd; Mahakdeep Singh 25th; Hashim 30th; Suraj Kumar 40th; Gurvinder Singh 49th; Sumit Saini 56th) bt Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi: 1 (Anwarullah Shah 19th). HT: 2-1

Pool-D: Bangalore University, Bangalore: 6 (Mohammed Fahad AV 5th; Somanna B P 14th; Chiranth Somanna N D 19th, 25th; Shamanth C S 33rd, 41st) bt Lovely Professional University, Phagwara: 5 (Dhami Boby Singh 7th; Nishant 15th; Jagraj Singh 23rd; Balkar Singh 29th; Vishal Yadav 36th). HT: 4-4

QUALIFIERS

Pool-A: VBSP University, Jaunpur (7 points); Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (6 points)

Pool-B: Sambalpur University (7 points); Bangalore City University, Bengaluru (6 points)

Pool-C: Punjabi University, Patiala (9 points); Savitribai Phule University, Pune (6 points)

Pool-D: Bangalore University, Bengaluru (6 points); Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (4 points)

QUARTERFINAL LINE UP

QF1: VBSP University, Jaunpur v Bangalore City University, Bengaluru

QF2: Bangalore University, Bengaluru v Savitribai Phule University, Pune

QF3: Sambhalpur University v Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

QF4: Punjabi University, Patiala v Lovely Professional University, Phagwara

WEDNESDAY’S FIXTURES

QF1: VBSP University, Jaunpur vs Bangalore City University, Bangalore  – 12.30 p.m

QF2: Bangalore University, Bangalore vs Savitribai Phule University, Pune – 2.30 p.m

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