Pune, 16 December, 2025 : Last-years defending champions Income Tax Pune fought off the stiff challenge put up by PCMC Academy via the tie-breaker, while Republican S.C completed a 3-2 win over Excellency Hockey Academy to book semifinals slots in the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Hockey Tournament, at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri, here on Tuesday.
The knock-out tournament is being conducted under the aegis of Hockey Maharashtra and is part of the 134th birth anniversary celebrations of the famed leader.
In the day’s opening quarter-final, Income Tax, Pune ended the challenge of PCMC Academy 5-3 after both ended 2-2 at the end of full time and later had Income Tax, Pune win 3-1 in the tie-breaker. Later, Republican S.C completed a 3-2 win over Excellency Hockey Academy to make the semifinals.
Income Tax Pune were the first to score when Atharva Kamble (14’) put home a field goal. PCMC Academy struck back when Deepak Chavan (23’) put the scores on level (1-1) through a field goal, which also ended the first-half of play.
Changing ends, PCMC Academy struck back to take the lead when Stephen Swami (41’) converted a penalty-corner (2-1). Pune struck back six minutes later when Babu Metkar (47’) sounded the board and ended regulation time 2-2.
In the tie-breaker, Income Tax, Pune converted via Romesh Pillay, Nitin Kumar and Raeis Mujawar, while Deepak Chavan was the lone player to gain success from his stroke to end the tie-breaker 3-1 and the match 5-3.
For Income Tax, Pune Raj Pawar failed with his attempt, while Jay Kale, Harish Shendge and Naveen Karketa were unlucky for PCMC Academy.
Later, Republican S.C won a close battle with Excellency Hockey Academy 3-2.
The winners scored through Saurab Mayakar (2’) off the first penalty-corner of the match, later Godwin Fernandes (13’) completed a field goal while Aryan Pagare (58’) struck the match-winner with a tap-in from close range.
Excellency Hockey Academy had Vishal Pillay (35’, 40’) score both their goals off penalty-corner conversions. The winners led 2-0 at half-time.
RESULTS
Income Tax, Pune: 2, 3 (Atharva Kamble 14’; Babu Metkar 47’; Romesh Pillay, Nitin Kumar, Raeis Mujawar) bt PCMC Academy: 2, 1 (Deepak Chavan 23’; Stephen Swami 41’; Deepak Chavan) . HT: 1-1
Republicans S.C: 3 (Saurab Mayakar 2’; Godvin Fernandes 13’; Aryan Pagare 58’) bt Excellency Hockey Academy: 2 (Vishal Pillay 35’, 40’). HT: 2-0
CAPTIONS
16 Hockey 1 & 2: PCMC Academy (Red) v/s Income Tax Pune (Black)
16 Hockey 3 & 4: Excellence Hockey Academy (Orange) v/s S.C (Black)
CAPTIONS
16 Hockey 1 & 2: PCMC Academy (Red) v/s Income Tax Pune (Black)
16 Hockey 3 & 4: Excellence Hockey Academy (Orange) v/s S.C (Black)
