Indian Oil, the current champions, came up with good second half showing to put it across Punjab National Bank (PNB) by a 3-1 margin in a Pool-A match of the MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) Super Division League 2015 and played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate on Sunday evening.
Indian Oil full back Sunil Yadav (right) is seen receiving his ‘Man-of-the-match’ award from Mukul Pandey, coach Mumbai senior team
After the teams finished the first half without scoring, seasoned Prabhjot Singh broke the deadlock in the very first minute on resumption to put Indian Oil in front. Five minutes later full back Sunil Yadav doubled the lead when he converted their second penalty corner in the 41st minute. PNB fought back and managed to reduce the deficit when Hardeep Singh with a neat deflection scored in the 42nd minute before Roshan Minz with another fine deflection got Indian Oil’s third goal.
Thereafter, PNB pressed hard in search of more goals but were let down by poor finishing. Ajitesh Roy wasted a sitter and Damandeep Singh hardly made any contributions to boost the attack.
Indian Oil having accumulated 13 points from 4 wins and a draw and with a huge goal-difference (scored 30 goals and conceded 13), are virtually assured of a place in Thursday’s final. They have match in hand against contenders Namdhari XI who have 10 points (3 wins and 1 draw) but a poor goal differential (scored 15 and conceded 12).
Earlier in the day, Indian Navy dented Namdhari’s title hopes by recording a 4-3 victory. Faheem Khan scored two goals while Rana Pratap and Surinder Singh one for the sailors. Namdhari got their goals through Balwinder Singh, Bhagat Singh and Gagandeep Singh.
Ved Prakash (Indian Navy) and Sunil Yadav (Indian Oil) were declared the ‘Man-of-the-match’ in their respective matches and both received a cash award of Rs 1,000 each.
Results
Pool-A: Indian Navy 4 (Faheem Khan 13th, 59th, Rana Pratap 33rd, Surinder Singh 63rd-PS) beat Namdhari XI 3 (Balwinder Singh 30th, Bhagat Singh 55th, Gagandeep Singh 65th). Man-of-the-match: Ved Prakash (Indian Navy).
Pool-A: Indian Oil 3 (Prabhjot Singh 36th, Sunil Yadav 41st, Roshan Minz 51st) beat Punjab National Bank 1 (Hardeep Singh 42nd). Man-of-the-match: Sunil Yadav (Indian Oil).
Monday’s fixtures
2.00 pm, Central Secretariat vs SAI (Pool-B).
3.45 pm, Central Railway vs Abhi Foundation (Pool-B).
5.30 pm, Air India vs ONGC (Pool-B).