Pillay plays spoilsport in Nehru Trophy final

New Delhi:

Skipper Gagan Ajit Singh scored the golden goal as Punjab Police beat Indian Airlines 3-2 in the final of the Nehru Hockey tournament today. The match was however marred by Dhanraj Pillay's unruly behaviour. Both teams were locked 2-2 at the end of regulation time. The golden goal came five minutes into extra-time. Even as the cops jumped up in joy, an irked Pillay fumed at the umpire for awarding the goal. The controversial striker abused and pushed umpire Javed Sheikh. Technical Director of the Tournament Committee Kuku Walia told reporters that he would put the matter before the technical committee and later forward it to the Indian Hockey Federation. "This was not expected from a player like Dhanraj Pillay and the incident has certainly dented Indian hockey's image," he said. Javed Sheikh, who was booed by Airlines supporters after the match, did not turn up during the presentation ceremony. Sheikh later said that he took the right decision as he felt that the goal was very much legal. "I awarded the penalty corner after Rajnish blocked a player inside the circle. The hit was taken correctly and the goal was alright." Supporting the decision of the umpire, Walia termed Pillay's reaction as "unwarranted". "Though the ball hit Pillay on the leg, the umpire asked the game to continue applying the advantage rule in favour of Punjab Police. But the shocking thing was Pillay's behaviour," Walia said. Airlines skipper Dileep Tirkey blamed poor umpiring for his side's loss in the final. "The umpire should be very sure while taking such decisions in crucial matches. I think there was no need to give Punjab Police a penalty corner in the first place." He also underlined the need for introduction of third umpires in important matches. Punjab Police manager and former international Pargat Singh condemned the incident and said that such behaviour from senior players "is killing Indian Hockey". (PTI)