Defending champions Air India did not enjoy a smooth sailing, but did well to capitalize on the chances that came their way to clinch a narrow 3-2 win against a prodigal Central Railway in a Pool ‘A’ clash 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 Thursday.
Air India skipper Shivendra Singh chases Central Railways Vinod Nair during Pool ‘A’ clash
Air India started in right earnest and held the upper hand against the railwaymen who were unable to get into a groove, especially in the first half. The airmen were dominant, but Central’s goalkeeper Avadhut Solankar stood tall and made some good saves to restrict them to a slender 1-0 half time lead, with skipper Shivendra Singh scoring from a penalty corner in the 11th minute.
In the second half, Central put up a much improved display and created quite a number of chances, but they were badly let down by some poor finishing. Their ace forwards, including international Yuvraj Walmiki and Affan Yusuf, both missed some easy sitters.
Air India doubled the lead when new recruit Janma Majhi neatly deflected home Mayur Patil’s diagonal hit into the circle in the 41st minute.
Central fought back and two minutes managed to reduce the deficit when Yuvraj from the left found Affan, who coolly tapped home from close. At the other end, Central goalkeeper Solankar did well to save Arjun Halappa’s penalty stroke.
Air India, who were under pressure managed to find the third goal when veteran Sameer Dad scored from the rebound following a short corner in the 62nd minute before Central got a late consolation goal through Harmeet Singh’s penalty corner conversion after the final hooter.
Central goalkeeper Solankar for his fine saves in the match won the ‘Man-of-the-match’ award of Rs 1,000.
Earlier in the day, CAG (Comptroller Auditor General), Delhi had an easy outing as they outplayed Hockey Bhopal 4-0 in a Pool-B match in the morning. CAG were well-served by Navneet Swarnkar (11th), V. Samughan (35th), S.S. Bundela (64th) and Nitin Timmaih (70th) as they charged to victory. Jagroop Singh was rewarded for his hard work with the ‘Man of the match’ award of Rs 1,000.
In another match played late on Wednesday, RCF (Rail Coach Factory), Kapurthala came good in the second half, scoring four goals during this period to tame local outfit Mumbai Customs 6-3 (half-time 2-2) in a Pool-A match. Poonacha M.G. (18th min), Karanpal Singh (33rd), Gagandeep Singh (38th), Sanjay Bir (41st), Deepak Sharma (56th) and Gavravjeet Singh (60th) were on target for the Kapurthala side, while Customs scored through Vijay Thapa (7th), Jayesh Jadhav (29th & 37th). RCF’s Gagandeep Singh picked up the ‘Man of the match’ award of Rs 1,000.
Results –Pool A: RCF, Kapurthala 6 (Poonacha M.G. 18th, Karanpal Singh 33rd, Gagandeep Singh 38th, Sanjay Bir 41st, Deepak Sharma 56th, Gavravjeet Singh 60th) beat Mumbai Customs 3 (Vijay Thapa 7th, Jayesh Jadhav 29th, 37th). Man of the match: Gagandeep Singh (RCF).
Pool A: Air India 3 (Shivendra Singh 11th, Janma Majhi 41st, Sameer Dad 62nd) Central Railway (Affan Yusuf 43rd, Harmeet Singh 70th). Man of the match: Avadhut Solankar (Central Railway).
Pool B:CAG 4 (Navneet Swarnkar 11th, V. Samughan 35th, S.S. Bundela 64th, Nitin Timmaih 70th) beat Hockey Bhopal 0. Man of the match: Jagroop Singh (CAG).
Friday schedule:
8.00 am: FCI vs RCF, Kapurthala
4.30 pm: Air India vs Mumbai Customs
6.30 pm: Western Railway vs Union Bank of India.