South Central Railway (SCR), Secunderabad won their maiden tile, with a convincing 4-3 victory against Punjab National Bank (PNB), Delhi in the final of the Union Bank of India & IDBI Bank-51st All India Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, organized by the Mumbai Hockey Association Limited (MHAL) under the auspices of Hockey India and played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The victorious South Central Railway outfit seen with the prestigious Bombay Gold Trophy along with Chief Guest, Sumit Koul, Services Operation Manager, IDBI. Also seen are MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakshi, MHAL, Hon. Gen. Secretary, Ram Singh Rathor, MHAL Treasurer, Govind Chokani and MHAL Executive Managing Committee members
In a match of fluctuating fortunes, PNB twice took the lead from Bhagat Singh’s field effort in the 5th minute and Gagadeep Singh’s penalty corner conversion in the 34th minute. In between SCR scored one in the first session when Sanjeeb Neelam Xess converted a penalty corner in the 12th minute.
But, SCR came roaring back in the second period with three goals wrested the advantage to take control of the match. First M.G. Poonacha scored the equalizer in the 39th minute before Sanjeep converted from another short corner goal in the 43rd minute. Later SCR scored from another field goal through Raju Pal in the 53rd minute. PNB reduced the margin through Gagadeep Singh in the 55th minute.
The match was played at a fast pace as both sides went on the offensive from the outset. PNB drew first blood when Samsher Singh made a dash into the circle but was foiled by a SCR defender, the ball deflected towards Bhagat Singh who made no mistake to fire home with a reverse hit in the 5th minute.
The railwaymen did not take too long to find the equalizer as their young full back Sanjeeb Neelam Xess, who had been consistently scoring from penalty corners in the earlier matches, hit the target with a firm low push to goalkeeper Jasbir Singh’s left in the 12th minute. PNB regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when Gagandeep Singh Jr. successfully converted from a penalty corner.
But, SCR came back with a better and more organized display in the second period and scored thrice, two from well-orgainsed moves and one from a short corner, in a space of 10 minutes. First in the 39th minute SCR midfielder Arjun Yadav intercepted the ball near the half line and then made a dash towards the rival goal before pushing forward for Raju Pal who took a reverse hit. Poonacha ideally positioned near the right post deflected home from close. Later, Sanjeeb scored from another penalty corner in the 43rd minute before Raju Pal struck with a brilliant effort to put the Secunderabad outfit in the drivers’ seat.
PNB tried to get back but could manage just one more goal through Gagandeep Singh’s penalty corner conversion in the 55th minute.
The victorious South Central Railway outfit received the prestigious Bombay Gold Trophy and the winner cheque of Rs 300,000 from Chief Guest, Sumit Koul, Services Operation Manager, IDBI. PNB received the runners-up trophy and a cheque of Rs 150,000.
Sanjeep Neelam Xess of South Central Railway won the Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai’s ‘Most promising player’ award and a cheque of Rs 10,000.
Results (finals): South Central Railway, Secundrabad (Sanjeep Neelam Xess 12th, 43rd, M.G. Poonacha 39th, Raju Pal 53rd) beat Punjab National Bank (Bhagat Singh 5th, Gagandeep Singh Jr. 34, 55th).
Other awards – SJAM Most promising player award (Rs 10,000): Sanjeep Neelam Xess (SCR).
Player of the tournament (Rs 10,000): P.R. Aiyappa (SCR).
Best goalkeeper: Sushant Tirkey (SCR); Best defender: Gagandeep Singh Jr. (PNB); Best midfielder: Shivdeep (PNB); Best forward: Raju Pal (SCR).