Union Bank of India( UBI) continued with their fine run of form as they pulled off a close 2-1 win against Western Railway in the final round qualifying match of the MHAL organized 52nd Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, and played at the MHAL-Mahndra Stadium, Churchgate on Friday.
Prolific scorer Aakib Rahim from a field effort got Union Bank the breakthrough in the second minute on resumption. Western fought back and managed to restore parity through Arun Beck’s penalty corner conversion in the 57th minute. Union Bank pressed hard and were rewarded with the winner when Nitin Kumar hit the target in the 64th minute. The win helped Union Bank qualify for the main draw of the 52nd Bombay Gold Cup, which is scheduled to commence from Monday.
In the second match, Indian Navy outclassed Sports Authority of India winning by a thumping 11-1 margin to also book a place in the main draw.
Western and Sports Authority will now clash to decide the third team that will also progress to the main draw.
Results: Union Bank of India 6 (Aakib Rahim, Nitin Kumar) beat Western Railway 1 (Arun Becks).
Indian Navy 11 (Ved Prakash 2, Rana Pratap 2, Pawan Rajbhar 2, Rajat Sharma 2, Mohit S. Thakur, Jugraj Singh, Amit Goswamy) beat Sports Authority of India 1 (Sadiq Mohd).