Maharashtra State Police emerged champions winning the Senior Division title of the MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) League – 2016. The state cops fought back a strong determined challenge from Mumbai Port Trust to snatch a close 4-3 victory in a tense and absorbing final at the MHAL Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate on Friday evening.
The victorious Maharashtra State Police team, winners of the MHAL Senior Division title, pose with their Trophy along with Chief Guest, Shri D. Kanakratam (IPS), Additional Director General of Police, Railways (Maharashtra) and MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakshi and MHAL Hon. Gen. Secretary Ram Singh Rathor.
The Policemen who went in to the break with a solid 2-0 cushion scored their goals through Prithviraj Salunkhe, Kunal Jagdale, Vinod Nimbore and Ayub Pendhari while Mumbai Port Trust who put up good fighting display scored a brace of goals from Shabaz Shaikh and one from Bhim Singh.
In a fast paced and exciting contest, the cops took the lead through Salunkhe’s field effort in the 13th minute before Kunal Jagdale doubled the lead 12 minute later to give MSP a 2-0 half time lead.
However, soon on resumption Port Trust managed to reduce the deficit with penalty corner specialist Shabaz converting from a penalty corner in the 40th minute. The policemen did not take too long to restore their two goal advantage as Nimbore hit the target four minutes later.
The Port Trust outfit were not prepared to give up without putting up a fight and managed to draw level with two quick goals from Shabaz in the 51st minute and Bhim in the 54th minute.
The State cops got the crucial winning from a swift raid on the counter. The hard-working Nimbore cut through from the right and pushed across for Pendhari who made no mistake in directing the ball home from close to snatch the winner and seal the win for his team.
The triumphant Maharashtra State Police team received the winners’ cheque of Rs 50,000 from Chief Guest, Shri D. Kanakratam (IPS), Additional Director General of Police, Railways (Maharashtra). Mumbai Port Trust were presented with the runners-up cheque of Rs 30,000.
Results – Senior Div: Maharashtra State Police 4 (Prithviraj Salunkhe, Kunal Jagdale, Vinod Nimbore, Ayub Pendhari) beat Mumbai Port Trust 3 (Shabaz Shaikh 2, Bhim Singh).