High-flying Air India, Delhi and a buoyant RCF (Rail Coach Factory), Kapurthala, both registered their second consecutive wins scoring convincing victories against Mumbai Customs, Mumbai and FCI (Food Corporation of India), Delhi in Pool ‘A’ league matches of the 12th PMC Bank-Guru Tegh Bahadur All India Gold Cup Hockey Championship, organized by MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) and played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate, on Friday.
Mumbai Customs forward Felix Baa (centre) is sandwiched between Air India defenders A,B. Cheeyanna (left) and Mehkeet Singh during their Pool-A league match
Air India had quite a fight on hands as Customs dished out a good fighting display and matched their more fancied rivals to finish the first half on even terms at 2-all. However, Customs ran out of steam in the second period and conceded 5 goals during this period as Air India soared to a comfortable 7-2 victory.
Skipper Shivendra Singh led from the front and scored three goals (53rd, 56th & 70th minutes), including a penalty stroke. Seasoned Sameer Dad (12th), Janma Majhi (15th), Birendra Lakra (58th) and Arjun Halappa (69th-PS) got the other goals for the airmen. Customs scored through full back Dhananjay Singh penalty corner (11th) and Jayesh Jadhav (32nd) to put up a good fight.
Earlier in the morning, RCF after an early setback recovered strongly to record a thumping 8-1 win against the FCI outfit who were totally a jaded lot. FCI got off to a stunning start with Aniket Muthaiya scoring the opening goal of the match in the very sixth minute. But, thereafter, RCF came roaring back and ace centre forward Poonacha M.G led the fight back scoring three goals in the 14th, 18th and 52nd minutes. He was well-supported by teammates Gurjinder Singh (25th), Sanjay Bir (29th), Gavravjeet Singh (45th), Ajmer Singh (54th) and Sandeep Singh (65th), all chipping with one each to complete the demolition.
Meanwhile in a Pool-B match played under lights late on Thursday, Western Railway rode on Vinod Singh’s double strikes to overcome Punjab National Bank by a 3-1 margin and record a deserving win. Vinod scored in the 16th and 53rd minutes and Ayappa got the third in the 61st minute. The Punjab outfit managed to reduce the deficit through Gagandeep Singh’s goal on the stroke of the half-time hooter.
Shivendra Singh (Air India), Poonacha M.G. (RCF) and Amit Gowda (Western Railway won the ‘Man of the match’ awards in their respective matches and all received a cash award of Rs 1,000 each.
Results –Pool A: RCF, Kapurthala 8 (Poonacha M.G. 14th, 18th, 52nd, Gurjinder Singh 25th, Sanjay Bir 29th, Gavravjeet Singh 45th, Ajmer Singh 54th, Sandeep Singh 65th) beat FCI 1 (Aniket Muthaiya 6th). Man of the match: Poonacha M.G. (RCF).
Pool A: Air India 7 (Sameer Dad 12th, Janma Majhi 15th, Shivendra Singh 53rd, 56th-PS, 70th, Birendra Lakra 58th, Arjun Halappa 69th-PS) beat Mumbai Customs 2 (Dhananjay Singh 11th, Jayesh Jadhav 32nd). Man of the match: Shivendra Singh (Air India).
Pool B: Western Railway 3 (Vinod Singh 16th, 53rd, Ayappa 61st) beat Punjab National Bank 1 (Gagandeep Singh 35th). Man of the match: Amit Gowda (Western Railway).
Saturday schedule:
8.00 am: P.N. Bank vs Hockey Bhopal
4.30 pm: Central Railway vs Mumbai Customs
6.30 pm: CAG vs Union Bank of India.