Former champions Western Railway outplayed Central Secretariat 5-3 in the concluding Super Division match of the MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) League – 2016, and played at the MHAL Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate, on Wednesday evening. For the Railway outfit the goals came through the efforts of Manjinder Singh (24th minute), Manpreet Singh (26th), Jaykaran (34th) and two goals from Malak Singh (47th and 56th), while Central Secretariat scored through Hasan Basha (36th), Felix Ba (65th) and S. Shivmani (66th).
Western Railway’s forward Malak Singh (right) keeps the ball under control as Central Secretariat player Gunasekar tackles him during their MHAL Super League encounter .
The three points earned from this crucial win helped the railwaymen finish in second position with 14 points and secure a place in Friday’s final against table toppers Indian Navy, who had also finished with 14 points, sealed the pole position, but by virtue of having a better goal-difference. Central Railway finished third with 12 points.
Earlier, a youthful Bombay Republicans produced another sterling display to eke out a deserving 2-1 win over Union Bank of India. Suraj Shahi (17th) and Tikaram Thakulla (66th) were on target for Republicans, while Union Bank got their lone goal through Nitin Kumar (41st).
Malak Singh (2nd left) of Western Railway was named ‘Man of the match’ and is seen receiving the cash award of Rs 1,000 from MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakshi and MHAL Executive Committee member Harish Sawhney.
Republicans’ hard work and dedication paid off as they clinched the fourth position, which earned them a direct entry for the prestigious Bombay Gold Cup, which is scheduled to commence later next month.
Tikaram Thakullav of Bombay Republicans and Malak Singh of Western Railway were named ‘Man of the match’ in their respective matches and they both were presented with a cash award of Rs 1,000 each by MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakshi and Executive Managing Committee member Harish Sawhney.
There will be no match on Thursday.
Results: Bombay Republicans 2 (Suraj Shahi 17, Tikaram Thakulla 66) beat Union Bank of India 1 (Nitin Kumar 41). Man of the match: Tikaram Thakullav (Bombay Republicans).
Western Railway 5 (Manjinder Singh 24th, Manpreet Singh 26th, Jaykaran 34th, Malak Singh 47th, 56th) beat Central Secretariat 3 (Hasan Basha 36th, Felix Ba 65th, S. Shivmani 66th). Man of the match: Malak Singh (Western Railway).
The table is attached
How They Finished
Teams P W D L Gf Ga Pts
I Navy 6 4 2 – 21 9 14
W. Railway 6 4 2 – 15 9 14
C. Railway 6 4 – 2 23 14 12
B. Republicans 6 2 2 2 15 16 8
C. Secretariat 6 2 1 3 25 19 7
Union Bank 6 – 2 4 11 23 2
Abhi Foundation 6 – 1 5 10 30 1
Tabulated at under: P-played, W-win, D-draw,, L-Loss, Gf-goals for, Ga-goals against, Pts-points
Friday schedule:
4.00 pm: Western Railway vs Indian Navy (final).