Punjab Police sailed through to the semi-finals of the Nehru Hockey tournament with a hard fought 3-2 win over Namdhari XI in New Delhi on Monday.
Baljit Singh Dhillon scored the golden goal after both the sides were locked 2-2 at the end of regulation time in the quarter-final played at the Shivaji Stadium.
In the semi-finals, Punjab Police will meet Bharat Petroleum who beat Air India 1-0 in another last eight match today.
Punjab Police erred on a number of occasions and missed out as many as eight penalty corners, but they still managed to neutralise Namdhari XI's lead twice before emerging winners in extra time.
Namdhari XI surged ahead as early in the sixth minute when Anmolak Singh scored after getting a pass from Didar Singh.
Punjab Police had to wait till the 29th minute for the equaliser when Dhillon struck home from a penalty corner. But just seconds before the break, Namdhari scored another goal -- Gurcharan Singh converting a penalty corner -- to go to the half time lead with a 2-1 lead.
Gagan Ajit Singh (60th minute) scored with his trademark reverse-flick to take the match to extra-time, seven minutes into which Dhillon scored the winner from a penalty corner.
Dhillon took most of the penalty corners as ace drag flicker Jugraj Singh played only for 10 minutes.
The Bharat Petroleum and Air India contest was played at a very dull pace and Len Aiyappa scored the all important goal in the 56th minute from the only penalty corner of the match.
