Indian Oil extended their reign as the champions of Mumbai hockey. In a repeat of last year’s final, the oilmen dished out a slick, pleasing performance to smoothly cruise to an emphatic 6-0 win against an uncharacteristic Air India in the Super League 2015 final, which was organised by the MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) and played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate on Thursday evening.
Indian Oil players and coach Ramesh Parameswaran are seen in a jubilant mood as the pose with the Super League trophy along with Chief Guest Aamir Dalvi, a Marathi television actor of Shaapat fame and other MHAL Managing Committee members
Last season Indian Oil had prevailed over Air India by a close 3-2 margin to win their maiden Super League title.
Indian Oil’s hard-working midfielder Vikas Sharma struck the opening goal within the opening few seconds of the match before Prabhjot Singh added two more, scoring one each on either side of the break. Having gained total ascendancy Indian Oil later scored three more times through Bharat Chikara, Deepak Thakur and Roshan Minz to complete Air India’s misery.
Chief Guest Aamir Dalvi, a Marathi television actor of Shaapat fame and a former hockey goalkeeper who had represented St. Stanislaus High School, Bandra in the 80s, presented the glittering Super League trophy and the cash prize of Rs 1.10 lakh to the champions Indian Oil team. MHAL President Mangha Singh Bakshi gave away the runners-up trophy and the cash award of Rs 70,000 to the Air India team members.
Vikas Sharma (Indian Oil) was later declared as the ‘Player-of-the-tournament and received a cash prize of Rs 7,000. The other awards were presented to Naveen Kumar (Central Secretariat) for the best goalkeeper; Sunil Yadav (Indian Oil) for the best defender; Sheshe Gowda (Air India) for the best midfielder and Affan Yusuf (Central Railway) for the best forward. All four received a cash prize of Rs 3,000 each.
Results – final: Indian Oil 6 (Vikas Sharma 1st, Prabhjot Singh 23rd, 39th, Bharat Chikara 40th, Deepak Thakur 44th, Roshan Minz 69th) beat Air India 0.
Other awards – Player of the tournament: Vikas Sharama (Indian Oil); Best goalkeeper: Naveen Kumar (Central Secretariat); Best defender: Sunil Yadav (Indian Oil); Best midfielder: Sheshe Gowda (Air India); Best forward: Affan Yusuf (Central Railway).