Mumbai : Punjab National Bank (PNB) have sent out early warning signals to the main title contenders in the fray, that they will be a force to reckon with. The Punjab outfit started with a strong, powerful performance to record an authoritative 9-0 victory against a hapless Rhema Sports in Mumbai ‘Super League 2015’.
Skipper Jitender Saroha, Ajitesh Roy and Damandeep Singh all scored two goals each, while Jugraj Singh, Sumit Pal and Hardeep Singh contributed a goal apiece to complete the tally of goals for PNB, for whom this was an ideal warm-up for the stronger challenges ahead.
Earlier in the day, Indian Navy bagged their first full three points as they overcame a sprightly Abhi Foundation by a 4-2 margin after leading 1-0 at half-time in another Pool-B encounter. For the sailors, full back Suman Kindo did well to successfully convert two penalty corners before Rana Pratap and Nitesh added the next two goals. The young Abhi Foundation side putting up a decent challenge managed to score their goals through Kanwarjit Singh and Govind Singh.
PNB were unimpressive at the beginning as they took their time to get accustomed to the conditions and get into their groove. Their opponents, Rhema Sports, who came into the match following a 4-2 win against over Abhi Foundation in their first game, lacked the confidence and the firepower to test the Punjab side that gradually found their rhythm and raced away with the match.
The northern team capitalised on a defensive lapse to score the first goal through Roy in the 11th minute before skipper Saroha converted their third short corner six minute later. In the 31st minute, young defender Jugraj Singh with a strong scoop fired in the third goal a couple of minutes before the end of the first half. PNB exerted total domination and scored at regular intervals to blow away their opponents who could only manage a couple of attempts at goal.
This was the first win for Navy who had earlier drawn their opening game 1-1 with Central Railway. For Abhi Foundation it was their second defeat.
