Skipper Yuvraj Walmik played the lead role in guiding Central Railway, Mumbai to a fluent 5-2 win against a spirited Union Bank of India in a Group-A league match of the 14th PMC Bank-All India Guru Tegh Bahadur Gold Cup hockey tournament and played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate on Friday.
The former international Walmiki from a field hit the target in the seventh minute to give Central the lead. But, Central’s joy was short-lived as three minutes later Union Bank restored parity when Naveen Kheratkar tapped in Vinik Shetty’s square pass from the right.
On resumption, Central picked up steam and scored four goals, all from field attempts, to ran away with the match. In the third minute of the second period Vinod Nair with a long diagonal hit found Walmiki in the clear and the latter turned round a defender and beat Union Bank goalkeeper Karan Thakur with a firm reverse crack. Four minutes later, Central added the third goal when Vinit Kamble latched onto Victo Singh forward pass and after entering the striking circle unleashed a rasping drive past Thakur who was left standing. A further two minutes later, Walmiki did the spadework and set up Victo Singh who was left with an easy task to tap in from close to put Central 4-1 ahead.
The railwaymen l further increased the lead when Deepak Lakra sounded the boards from another field effort in the 59th minute before Union Bank managed to reduce the margin of defeat with Vinit Shetty scoring the second goal in the final minute.
Central have finished with five points from one win and two draws and are currently in first position. Air India and Punjab National Bank (PNB), both with four points each are in joint second place. They meet in the concluding group match on Saturday and the outcome of the match will decide which two teams qualify for the semi-finals. Central have a goal-difference of plus 3 (Gf 10, Ga 7), Air India plus 8 (11-3) and PNB plus 2 (5-3) are in contention for making it to the next round.
Earlier in a Group-B match, Central Secretariat defeated Hockey Bhopal 4-1 to register their third straight win in the group and are assured of qualifying for the semi-finals from this group.
Earlier in the morning, South Central Railway, Secunderabad recovered from a 0-2 deficit to hold Western Railway, Mumbai to a 2-2 draw in a Group-B encounter. Western took an early lead through Amit Gowda in the fifth minute and added the second through Dilip Pal in the 22nd minute. The Secundrabad fought back and reduced the deficit through Sandeep Kumar Singh penalty corner conversion in the 34th minute. Later, Kumar was on target again scoring the equalizer in the 41st minute.
Results – Group-A: Central Railway, Mumbai 5 (Yuvraj Walmiki 7th, 38th, Vinit Kamble 42nd, Victo Singh 44th, Deepak Lakra 59th) beat Union Bank of India, Mumbai 2 (Naveen Kheratkar 11th, Vinit Shetty 70th).
Group-B: Western Railway 2 (Amit Gowda 5th, Dilip Pal 22nd) drew with South Central Railway, Secunderabad 2 (Sandeep Kumar Singh 34th, 41st).
Central Secretariat, Delhi 4 (Shariq 5th, 34th, Felix Baa 42nd, Aman 50th) beat Hockey Bhopal 1 (Vikas Choudhry 29th).
Semi-final line-up
In Monday’s semi-finals, Air India will clash with Indian Navy and Central Secretariat will take on Central Railway.