Hockey
Railway dethrone Petroleum, Police cane CAG to march into inter-dept national hockey final
Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) and All India Police Sports Control Board packed off last year’s finalists to set up an exciting final at the 6th Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship 2026 at the Gachibowli Hockey Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday.
In what were engrossing semifinal encounters on Sunday, Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) stunned defending champions Petroleum Sports Control Board (PSPB) 2-1 and All India Police Sports Control Board edged runners-up Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) by a solitary Mohammad Haris goal.
Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) stunned defending champions Petroleum Sports Control Board (PSPB) 2-1. Pics: Mohd Hadi
Amandeep Lakra scored a brace as Railway chugged into the final in a closely-fought semifinal on Sunday.
Railway prove a handful for PSPB
Railway, who had kept a clean slate in the league phase, proved quite a handful for the Petroleum team, which was not at its best in the tournament.
PSPB overcome SAI, CAG edge PNB, Police pip FCI, RSPB have it easy in quarterfinals
Taking advantage of the tentativeness of the PSPB team, Railway struck the first blow in the seventh minute of play as Amandeep converted a penalty corner to give his side a rousing start to the semifinal clash.
Thereafter, most of the action was confined to the midfield as the teams found it hard to breach the rival defence.
However, Amandeep was not to be denied for too long as he struck off another penalty corner in the 27th minute to give Railway the much-needed cushion.
Petroleum men fought strongly but Railway defended their citadel resolutely and denied their rivals the chance to breach it.
PSPB continued to mount pressure as the clock ticked away. They were rewarded with a goal in the 45th minute as Gurjot Singh scored off a penalty corner.
However, they were not able to force another goal as the Railway defenders kept a strict vigil and were rewarded with a place in the final.
PSPB captain Devindar Walmiki earned a yellow card in the 41st minute and RSPB’s Sheshe Gowda BM got a green card in the 45th minute.
Police edge invincible CAG
The other semifinal turned out to be a tug-of-war between CAG and Police as both sides were solid in their defence. The forwards were unable to breach the rival fortress for most of the 60 minutes of play.
All India Police Sports Control Board edged runners-up Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) by a solitary Mohammad Haris goal
Mohammad Haris’ strike in the 25th minute proved the difference as Police surged into the final.
Right through the tournament, CAG had looked invincible as the cruised past their opponents with relative ease. Unlike PSPB, CAG had maintained a clean slate in the league phase but one bad day in office cost them the opportunity to enter their second consecutive final.
The first quarter was a well-matched one as both sides tested each other without being able to penetrate the defensive wall. There was plenty of action but the defenders of both teams held their ground well.
Police finally managed to get the elusive goal through the stick of Mohammad Haris, who scored off a penalty corner and put his side 1-0 up.
Thereafter, Police hung on to their narrow lead and defended their fortress well against the marauding CAG attackers. CAG threw everything they had but they were unable to get past the Police defenders. CAG skipper Parmod got a green card in the 43rd minute as they pressed on for the equalizer.
In the end, it was the All India Police Sports Control Board team which managed to book their berth in the final against Railway Sports Promotion Board.
Results (semifinals): Petroleum Sports Control Board (PSPB) 1 (Gurjot Singh 45th) lost to Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) 2 (Amandeep Lakra 9th, 27th).
Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) 0 lost to All India Police Sports Control Board 1 (Mohammad Haris 25th).