Rajendra Pawar nets hat-trick in Central Railway’s easy win


Rajendra Pawar notched up the first hat-trick of the tournament to ensure Central Railway took off on the right track, by coasting to a convincing 6-2 win against Abhi Foundation in a Super Division match of the MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) League – 2016, and played at the MHAL Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate on Wednesday.

Rajendra Pawar (left), who scored a hat-trick in Central Railway’s 6-2 win against Abhi Foundation in a MHAL Super League match, receives the ‘Man of the match’ award from Gurdip Singh Chandok, Vice-President, MHAL. Also seen in the photo is MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakshi.

Rajendra Pawar (left), who scored a hat-trick in Central Railway’s 6-2 win against Abhi Foundation in a MHAL Super League match, receives the ‘Man of the match’ award from Gurdip Singh Chandok, Vice-President, MHAL. Also seen in the photo is MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakshi.

 

Besides Pawar’s fine feat, Central’s enterprising forward Mohd Nizamuddin got a brace of goals and seasoned Narad Bahadur converted from their third short corner to complete the scoring. Abhi Foundation, who tried their best to match the superior railway outfit, managed to reduce the margin of defeat with goals in each half from Ashish Bhosle and Mithilesh Kumar.

 

Pawar was later declared Man-of-the-match and was presented with a cash prize of Rs 1,000 by MHAL Vice-President Gurdip Singh Chandok.

 

The railwaymen started with a flourish and opened the scoring in the second minute when their roving centre forward Nizamuddin pounced on the rebound to tap home after Bahadur’s try from the first short corner was blocked by goalkeeper Suraj Karkera. They doubled the lead seven minutes later, when Nizamuddin cut in from right side and provided a perfect pass for Pawar to tap home from hand-shaking distance. The railway outfit continued to press forward and increased the lead when Bahadur with a firm low push converted from their third penalty corner in the 23rd minute.

 

Abhi Foundation managed to reduce the deficit with Anuj Singh deflecting into goal Ankur’s square pass from the left just before half time hooter.

 

Six minute after restart, Pawar once again found the net to give Central a 4-1 cushion. Abhi Foundation threatened to put up a fight back when Mithlesh Kumar did well to trap Deepak Singh’s long hit before scooping over goalkeeper Avadhut Solankar into goal in the 44th minute (2-4).

 

But, Central took the match away from their rival by scoring twice in the final 10 minutes. First Nizamuddin scored after receiving a pass from Pawar and then Pawar harmed home the sixth in the final minute of the match.

 

Results: Central Railway (Mohd Nizamuddin 2nd, 61st, Rajendra Pawar 9th,41st, 69th, Narad Bahadur 23rd) beat Abhi Foundation 2 (Ashish Bhosle 34th, Mithilesh Kumar 44th). Man-of-the-match: Rajendra Pawar (Central Railway).

 

Wednesday schedule: 2.30 pm – Indian Navy vs Bombay Republicans; 4.00 pm, Western Railway vs Union Bank of India.