Indian Navy produced a sleek performance and rose to the occasion to clinch a deserving 4-2 victory against Western Railway in the Super Division final of the MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) League – 2016, and played at the MHAL Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate, on Friday evening.
The victorious Indian Navy team proudly poses with the Super Division Trophy
The Naval outfit scored through Jugraj Singh (6th minute), Rana Pratap (11th), Kuldeep Singh Jr. (20th) and Ambika Pratap (43rd) while Western Railway got their goals through Manpreet Singh (16th) and Irshad Mirza (19th).
Indian Navy received the Super Division Trophy and a cash award of Rs 1.10 lakhs from MHAL President Mangha Singh Bakshi while MHAL Hon Secretary Ram Singh Rathor presented Western Railway with the runners-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 70,000. Rana Pratap of Indian Navy was named ‘Player of the final’ and he received a cash award of Rs 3,000.
The fitter and faster sailors mixed aggression with caution to quell the spirited challenge from the railwaymen and emerge triumphant. The Naval outfit did not take too long to assert their dominance and forged ahead when full back Sajit Lakra converted from their first penalty corner in the very sixth minute. Five minutes later Navy once again rocked the ‘Western citadel when Rana Pratap with a peach of an effort scored the second. Following Pawan Rajbir’s long hit Pratap trapped the ball near the 25-yard line before he weaved past two defender and with a rasping drive beat Western custodian Karan Thakur.
Western not prepared to give up without a fight managed to score two quick goals through Manpreet Singh and Irshad Mirza to restore parity. In the 16th minute Manpreet from a snap move sounded the boards and three minutes later Western midfielder Sachin Kumar intercepted a clearance and pushed forward for Mirza who with a firm reverse hit sent the ball crashing to the boards.
Navy continued to push forward for goals and scored two more through Kuldeep Singh Jr. who with a faint touch deflected home in the 20th minute and later Ambika Pratap scored from a swift move down the right to put Navy in a comfortable position.
Western tried their best and created quite a number of chances but were a bit unlucky as Stanley Minz hit the post and Navy goalkeeper Vikas denied them with some fine saves.
Results – final: Indian Navy (Jugraj Singh 6th, Rana Pratap 11th, Kuldeep Singh Jr. 20th, Ambika Pratap 43rd) beat Western Railway (Manpreet Singh 16th, Irshad Mirza 19th). Player of the final: Rana Pratap (Indian Navy).