Indian Oil retained their crown as they survived from the brink of defeat to overcome Punjab and Singh Bank 9-7 via the penalty shootout tie-breaker after full time finished in an exciting and tense 5-5 draw, in an absorbing and well-contested final of the 53rd All India Bombay Gold Cup hockey championship 2019, organized by the Mumbai Hockey Association Limited (MHAL) and played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate on Wednesday evening.
The victorious Indian Oil players and coach are seen in a jubilant mood as they pose with the prestigious All India Bombay Gold Cup.
Olympian V.R Raghunath leading by example came to the rescue of Indian Oil when he converted from a penalty corner to score the fifth goal and crucial equalizer at the death to force the penalty shootout. He again converted a penalty stroke when Vikramjit Singh who was working his way to score from the fourth attempt was fouled by the rival goalkeeper Guriqbal Singh. Raghunath pushed hard to the right of the goalkeeper to seal Indian Oil’s 4-2 penalty shootout success.
Bharat Petroleum’s 18-year-old forward Darshan Gawkar (right) who won the Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai award for the ‘Most Promising Player’ is seen receiving a cheque of Rs 10,000 from Olympian M.M. Somaya, Omkar Singh member of India’s 1975 World Cup winning team and former Indian goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi.
Earlier, Punjab and Singh Bank started in right earnest and scored twice in the second quarter through Harmanpreet Singh’s field effort in 24th minute and Jaskaran Singh through a penalty corner in the 29th minute to open up a 2-0 half-time lead.
After the break Indian Oil returned a rejuvenated lot and scored four quick goals during the third quarter to assert their dominance and snatch a healthy 4-2 lead. Affan Yousuf slapped home Mohd Rahil’s cross from the right in the 39th minute, later Nilam Sanjay Xess converted from a short corner in the 41st minute to level the scores. Two minutes PSB were unlucky as Gangapreet’s try from a short corner crashed into the upright and from a swift counter Talwinder Singh with a superb reverse hit beat PSB goalkeeper Guriqbal Singh in the 43rd minute to give Indian Oil the lead before Mohd Rahil scored the fourth goal in the next minute to end the third quarter with a 4-2 advantage.
Punjab and Sind Bank came roaring back in the fourth and fired in three goals to snatch a 5-4 lead. First Gaganpreet finally hit the target from their fifth penalty corner in the 51st minute before Jaskaran scored from a brilliant combined move in the 56th minute to put the bankers on level terms ar 4-all. Later, Harmapreet was again on target with his second and the team’s fifth goal in the 58th minute to give Punjab & Sind Bank a 5-4 lead and scent of victory.
But, with time ticking away, Indian Oil pressed hard and earned a penalty corner which skipper Raghunath made no mistake in firing home the equalizer.
In the penalty shootout duel, Indian Oil’s Bharat Chhikra, Talwinder and S.K. Uthappa successfully converted while Vikranjit was fouled and Raghunath converted from the resultant penalty stroke. For Punjab and Sind Bank only Ranjot Singh Gaganpreet Singh managed to score, while Jaskaran and Satbir Singh attempts were saved by Indian Oil goalkeeper Pankaj Kumar Rajak.
The Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai award for the ‘Most Promising Player’ went to Bharat Petroleum’s 18-year-old forward Darshan Gawkar. The youngster received a cheque of Rs 10,000 from Olympian M.M. Somaya, Omkar Singh member of India’s 1975 World Cup winning team and former Indian goalkeeper Mir Ranjan Negi.
Indian Oil received the prestigious Bombay Gold Cup and a cash award of Rs 1.5 lakhs, while Punjab and Sind Bank received the runners-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs one lakh.
Results – Final: Indian Oil 9 (Talwinder Singh 2, V.R. Raghunath 2, Affan Yousuf, Nilan Sanjay Xess, Mohd Rahil, Bharat Chhikra, S.K. Uthappa) beat Punjab & Sind Bank 7 (Jaskaran Singh 3, Harmanpreet Singh 2, Gaganpreet Singh 2) via the penalty shootout tie-breaker. Full time: 5-5.
Individual awards – SJAM ‘Most Promising Player’: Darshan Gawkar (Bharat Petroleum).
MHAL awards – Best goalkeeper: Pankaj Kumar Rajak (Indian Oil); Best defender: Pratap Lakra (South Central Railway); Best midfielder: Dawinder Walmiki (Bharat Petroleum); Best forward: Talwinder Singh (Indian Oil).