The visiting Coorg XI played like a well-oiled unit and staved off a spirited challenge from Mumbai Customs to register a satisfying 3-1 victory in an absorbing and intense Men’s final of the St. Peter’s Youth Centre organized St. Peter’s Hockey Championship 2023 and played at the St. Stanislaus HS Astro Park, Bandra late on Sunday evening. For Coorg XI Bhavin Kushalappa scored two goals and Ansar Ali got one while Mumbai Customs pulled one back through Jayesh Jadhav.
The victorious Coorg XI players and coach Olympian M.M. Somaya are all smiles after winning the Men’s final of the St. Peter’s Youth Centre organized St. Peter’s Hockey Championship 2023
The Coorg outfit proved that their 9-8 sudden death victory against reigning champions CTC (Champions Training Centre), Mumbai in the semi-finals was no flash in the pan as they produced another impressive performance to put it across Mumbai Customs and clinch their maiden triumph in this tournament.
The visitors perfectly executed the plans of their coach Olympian M.M. Somaya enjoyed the lions’ share of the exchanges. The Coorgis showed good understanding in their buildup towards attacks at the rival goal and coolly converted the chances that came their way which ensured their success.
Mumbai Customs also played an attacking game and had their share of raids into the rival territory, but they wasted quite a few gilt-edged chances, especially in the final and those lapses cost them dear.
Coorg XI took the lead in the final minute of the first quarter through Kushalappa. But, Customs restored parity in the second quarter when Jadhav made no mistake in driving home after receiving Joshua Vesaokar’s long forward pass and the teams went into the break on level terms at 1-all.
On resumption, both teams continued to play in the same attacking vein, but there was addition to the scoreboard. In the final quarter, the Coorgis showed more intent and launched a series of quick attacks on the Customs citadel and their efforts were rewarded with two goals. The hard-working Ali scored in the third minute of the fourth quarter to help Coorg XI regain the lead before Kushalappa scored his second goal to increase the lead and secure their win. Customs had two opportunities but Iktidar Ishrat failed to score on both the occasions and they had to settle for second best.
Result – Men’s Final: Coorg XI 3 (Bhavin Kushalappa 2, Ansar Ali) beat Mumbai Customs 1 (Jayesh Jadhav).