Jugraj Singh's hat trick went in vain as local champions Western Railway scored an exciting 4-3 victory over former champions Punjab Police (Jalandhar) to enter the semi-finals of the 43rd All India Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournament in Mumbai on Sunday.
Jugraj, striving for an India come back after his serious injuries following a road accident, put Punjab police ahead in the 10-minute of the second half with a drag-flick through their second penalty corner.
But Western Railways not only equalised four minutes later through their drag-flick expert Gurusev Singh, who went on to pump in two more goals, but also took the attacking reins.
Western Railways fourth goal of the match, which was their second in order of play, was a spectacular effort which came a minute after their first goal and was scored by their impressive front-liner Shivendra Singh.
The forward went on a solo on the right flank in the 45th minute of the match and scored with an angular shot on the run.
Gurusev's second and third goal were scored in the 55th and the 59th minute of the second half while Jugraj goals came in the 48th and 65th minute.
Western Railway, last years runners up, await the winners of Monday's quarter finals between Punjab XI (Lahore) and Uttar Pradesh XI in the double leg semi-finals to be held on May 3 and 5.
