Putting up a more disciplined and improved display, Indian Navy hardly put a foot wrong as they sailed to a convincing 4-1 win against Central Railway in a Super Division match of the MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) League – 2016, and played at the MHAL Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate on Friday evening.
Indian Navy defender Jugraj Singh (centre) receives the ‘Man of the match’ award from MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakshi (left) and Vice-President, Gurdip Singh Chandok
Navy scored all the four goals from penalty corners through captain Sajit Lakra (28th minute), S.C. Kindo (29th), Jugraj Singh (35th) and Surendra Kumar (55th), while Central reduced the deficit when Narad Bahadur converted a penalty stroke in the 43rd minute. Jugraj Singh was named ‘Man-of-the-match’ and received a cash prize of Rs 1,000 each from MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakshi.
The Navy side now has seven points from three games while this was the first defeat for Central who had beaten Abhi Foundation in the opening game.
The sailors who were unimpressive in the previous two outings showed good understanding and worked well as a unit. They were better organized in both attack and defence and enjoyed a clear edge over the railway outfit.
The naval outfit came close to taking the lead in the very fifth minute but Jaspal Singh hastily hit wide after Pawan Rajbir had provided a perfect cross from the left.
Navy after failing to beat Central custodian Avaduth Solankar for most of the opening period finally tasted success when Sujit sounded the boards with a firm drive from a penalty corner in the 28th minute. A minute later, Navy earned another penalty corner and this time Kindo’s powerful drag-flick went in off Solankar’s pads. The sailors continued to attack and seconds before the half-time hooter were awarded another short corner and Jugraj Singh scored with a rasping push to the roof of the net to give his team a commanding 3-0 cushion at the break.
Central showed more purpose and greater urgency on resumption but could manage only one goal as the Navy outfit defended in numbers. In the 42nd minute Central’s Rajendra Pawar’s struck Navy defender Lakra on the body and umpire Danny Kinni did not hesitate to award a penalty stroke. Bahadur coolly converted setting goalkeeper Reyadan Tidu the wrong way.
Navy maintained their three goal cushion when Surendra Kumar scored from another penalty corner in the 55th minute to complete the winning tally.
Results: Indian Navy (Sajit Lakra 28th, S.C. Kindo 29th, Jugraj Singh 35th, Surendra Kumar 55th) beat Central Railway (Narad Bahadur 43rd). Man-of-the-match: Jugraj Singh (Indian Navy).