SNBP 28th Nehru All-India Varsity Hockey: Savitribai Phule Pune University-Sambalpur University Set Up Final Date

Savitribai Phule Pune University brought their tenacity to the fore, clawing their way back from being 0-2 down to level the issue in normal time before having the final laugh against Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal (VBSP) University, Jaunpur in the shootout to make their maiden final appearance in the SNBP 28th Nehru All-India Inter-University Hockey Tournament (Inter-Zonal Final) at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar, Pimpri, Pune.

A final berth looked far away for the Pune University lads when VBSP lapped up a 2-0 lead riding on goals from Veejendra Singh and Amit Yadav. Venkatesh Kenche first reduced the deficit before Rohan Patil converted a short corner before they capped off a successful run in the shootout.

Savitribai Phule Pune University will take on Sambalpur University, Sambalpur in the final on Saturday. The Sambalpur varsity lads eased past Lovely Professional Univirsity, Phagwara 3-1 in the other semfinal tie. Nabin Kujur wrested the initiative for the Sambalpur outfit with an early goal before they pressed home the advantage with a brace from Dang Matiyas. Balkar Singh and Junior World-Cupper Araijeet Singh Hundol scored for the Phagware outfit but they were of solace than anything else as the Odisha side emerged victorious.