Champions Training Centre (CTC) underlined their superiority defeating Union Bank of India (UBI) 3-2 in a well-contested and exciting league match of the Mumbai Hockey Association Limited (MHAL) organised Mumbai Hockey Championship 2022, at the MHAL Stadium, Churchgate on Saturday.
This was the fourth successive win for CTC, and they are now assured of a place in Monday’s final. On the other hand, UBI suffered their first defeat in five matches, but with 12 points have already booked their place in the final.
Both CTC and UBI played an open attacking game and there was plenty of goal bound forays at either end, but the first goal came late in the second quarter. Affan Yousuf scored from a penalty corner to give CTC the lead.
UBI did not take much time to restore parity as Aamid Khan converted a short corner in the 32nd minute, but two minutes later CTC regained the lead with Olympian Devender Walmiki scoring from a field effort. Fourteen minutes later, CTC extended the lead with Mohd Sadik scoring the third goal in open play. Union Bank, not giving up, managed to reduce the margin with Aamid scoring his and the team’s second goal in the 48th minute.
In Sunday’s final round of league matches, Central Railway takes on Republicans SC at 3.15 pm and in the second match, Champions Training Centre meet Mumbai Customs at 4.45 pm.
Results: Champions Training Centre 3 (Affan Yusuf, Devender Walmiki, Mohd Sadik) beat Union Bank of India 2 (Aamid Khan 2).
Sunday’s schedule: Central Railway Vs Republicans SC, 3.15 pm, Champions Training Centre Vs Mumbai Customs, 4.45 pm.