MHAL report:
Iktdar Ishrat grabbed all the attention as he notched a fine hat-trick to power Mumbai Customs to a narrow 4-3 win against Central Railway in a Super Division match of the MHAL League 2019-2020, played at MHAL Stadium, Churchgate on Thursday.
The opportunistic goal-scorer Ishrat netted the opening goal in the eight minute and two minute scored from an indirect penalty corner conversion. The former champions Central restored parity with Bijendra Singh scoring twice in the 11th and 25th minute. But, Customs once again regained the lead when their consistent scorer Fekix Baa got the third goal on the stroke of half-time. Customs increased their lead when Ishrat scored his third goal to complete his hat-trick and the team’s fourth goal. Central reduced the margin of defeat through Rajendra Pawar’s effort in the final minute.
In the second match of the day, defending champions Indian Navy cruised to another easy win defeating Mumbai Port Trust 3-0. Skipper Ved Prakash hit the target twice while Jaspal Singh got the third to round of the winning margin.
Results: Mumbai Customs 4 (Iktdar Ishrat 3, Felix Baa) beat Central Railway 3 (Brijendra Singh 2, Rajendra Pawar).
Indian Navy 3 (Ved Prakash 2, Jaspal Singh) beat Mumbai Port Trust 0.