A spirited Indian Navy, Mumbai, put up a strong spirited performance in the second half and came from a 0-1 deficit to overcome Central Secretariat 2-1 in the final of the 14th PMC Bank-All India Guru Tegh Bahadur Gold Cup hockey tournament and played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate on Tuesday.
The victorious Indian Navy players are in jubilant mood as they pose with the Guru Tegh Bahadur Gold Cup and the winners’ cheque of Rs two lakhs along with Chief Guest, Waryam Singh, Chairman, PMC Bank. Also present are MHAL office bearers.
Central Secretariat opened the scoring through Jayesh Jadhav’s snap goal in the 29th minute. But a determined Navy converted two penalty corners through Suman Kindo in the 37th minute and Jugraj Singh 55th minute to turn the tables on the Delhi side and emerge triumphant. The sailors also avenged their 1-5 to the Delhi outfit in the group phase and claimed their maiden All-India title in Mumbai.
The match witnessed a mediocre fare in the opening session. Both teams lacked creativity and there was hardly many goal-scoring opportunities at either end.
However, towards the end of the first half, Jadhav from the 25-yard line launched into run and cut into the striking circle and with fierce angular hit beat Navy goalkeeper B. Sanjay to put Secretariat in front.
The Navymen fought back and forced two short corners in quick succession. First ace drag-flicker Jugraj pushed wide and later Secretariat goalkeeper Naresh Kumar Chaudhary moved low to his left to deny Jugraj from finding the equalizer as the Delhi side went into the break with a slender 1-0 advantage.
After switching ends, Navy earned their third penalty corner in the very second minute and they succeeded in scoring through Kindo from an indirect drill.
Later, Secretariat tried their best to regain the lead and were lucky to be awarded a contentious penalty stroke by umpire Tarun Yadav. However, Shariq’s push was saved by goalkeeper Sanjay who had a god day in office and was later declared at the ‘Player-of-the-final.
Having survived that scare, the sailors started to mount pressure on the Secretariat citadel and in the 55th minute they were awarded their fourth penalty corner and this time Jugraj made no mistake as he fired to goalkeeper Chaudhary’s right to put his team in the lead, which they managed to maintain till the final whistle.
The Indian Navy team received the glittering Guru Tegh Bahadur Gold Cup and a cheque of Rs two lakhs from Waryam Singh, Chairman, PMC Bank. Central Secretariat were presented with the runners-up trophy and a cheque of Rs one lakh.
The Best goalkeeper prize went to Naresh Kumar Chaudhury (Central Secretariat), the Best defender award was bagged by Moses Pullanthara (Air India), the Best midfielder prize was won by Jugraj Singh (Indian Navy) and Abharan Sudev (Air India) was named as the Best forward. All four and Sanjay received a cash prize of Rs 5,000 each.
Results – Semi-finals: Indian Navy, Mumbai 2 (Suman Kindo 37th, Jugraj Singh 55th) beat Central Secretariat, Delhi 1 (Jayesh Jadhav 29th).
Other awards:
Player of the final: B. Sanjay (Indian Navy, goalkeeper).
Best goalkeeper: Naresh Kumar Chaudhury (Central Secretariat).
Best defender: Moses Pullanthara (Air India).
Best midfielder: Jugraj Singh (Indian Navy).
Best forward: Abharan Sudev (Air India).