PSPB, SSCB, RSPB, and FCI Make Semifinal Cut in Hockey India Inter-Department Championship

The defending champions, Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), Services Sports Control Board (SSC), Railway Sports Promotion Board, and Food Corporation of India have advanced to the semifinals in the fourth edition of the Hockey India Inter-Department National Championship. Semifinal slots were clinched through a series of contrasting and intense quarterfinal matches.

In a series of compelling quarterfinals, defending champions Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), and Food Corporation of India (FCI) secured their places in the semifinals of the fourth Hockey India Inter-Department National Championship on Thursday.

PSPB set the tone with a commanding 6-2 victory against Steel Plant Sports Board, starring Rosan Minz and Talwinder Singh's hat-trick. SSCB edged Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) with a narrow 2-1 win, courtesy of Pratap Shinde's decisive penalty corner strike.

In another thrilling encounter, last year's runner-up RSPB overcame the Sports Authority of India 3-2, despite playing part of the match with 10 men due to a red card. RSPB's goals came from Shivam Anand, Yuvraj Walmiki, and Joginder Singh. FCI completed the semifinal line-up with a late-game 2-1 triumph over Punjab National Bank (PNB), thanks to late goals by Paramvir Singh and Boby Singh Dhami.

(With inputs from agencies.)