Mumbai Customs after training 1-3, rallied in splendid fashion to snatch a thrilling 5-3 victory against Union Bank of India in a fast-paced Men’s Open semi-final encounter of the inaugural ‘Savio Super 5s’ hockey tournament, organized by the Savio Hockey Club & Academy (SHC&A), under the auspices of Hockey Maharashtra and played at the St. Dominic Savio High School ground, Andheri on Saturday.
The Union Bank outfit started with a flourish and ace goal-scorer Prince Chaurasia spearheading the attack produced three clinical strikes to give his team a 3-1 lead.
But, Customs produced a determined fightback and their young forward Moses Pulanthara struck two goals and Nikhil Pardesh chipped in with one and they went into the break on level terms at 3-all.
On resumption Customs controlled play and turned things around by scoring two more goals through seasoned Jayesh Jadhav and Pardeshi to seal their win. Customs goalkeeper and defender Conroy Remedios did well to deny Union Bank attackers from finding the net in the second period.
In other quarter-final encounters, the Walmiki brothers, Anup and Yuvraj scored three and five goals respectively in leading Central Railway to a close 6-5 win against a spirited Bombay Republicans SC ‘A’ to enter the semi-finals. Rajendra Prasad netted Central’s fifth goal, while Republicans scored through Venkatesh I. and S. Shreekrishna both finding the net twice and Kushal D scored one the losing side.
Champions Training Centre riding on Darshan Gawkar’s four superb goals and Devinder Walmiki’s triple strikes went on to inflict 8-4 defeat on Sea View SC to book their place in the penultimate round. Abharan Suden got the eighth goal for the winners. Gavin Vandrine, Shelton D., Julius F., and Anish F. all scored a goal each for Sea View.
Earlier, Ave Maria powered by their prolific goal-scorer Girish Pimpale who netted four goals went on to record a 6-1 victory against Bombay Republicans ‘B’ in the first last-eight match. Sneden Mendes and Samir Coutinho chipped in with a goal each for the victors, while Bhim Bhadur scored the lone goal for the losers.
Results –
Men’s Open (quarter-finals): Ave Maria 6 (Girish Pimpale 4, Sneden Mendes, Samir Coutinho) beat Bombay Republicans ‘B’ 1 (Bhim Bhadur);
Central Railway 6 (Anup Walmiki 3, Yuvraj Walmiki 2, Rajendra Prasad) beat Bombay Republicans ‘A’ 5 (Venkatesh I. 2, S. Shreekrishna 2, Kushal D.);
Mumbai Customs 5 (Moses Pulanthara 2, Nikhil Pardeshi 2, Jayesh Jadhav) beat Union Bank of India 3 (Prince Chaurasia);
Champions Training Centre 8 (Darshan Gawkar 4, Devinder Walmiki 3, Abharan Suden) beat Sea View SC 4 (Gavin Vandrine, Shelton D., Julius F., Anish F.).