Two goals from former international Yuvraj Walmiki helped Central Railway, Mumbai secure their first win by a narrow 5-4 margin against FCI (Food Corporation of India), Delhi in a Pool ‘A’ clash of the 12th PMC Bank-Guru Tegh Bahadur All India Gold Cup Hockey Championship, organized by MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) and played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate, on Wednesday.
Central Railway’s midfielder Affan Yusuf dribbles his way past a couple of FCI defenders during their Pool ‘A’ clash of the 12th PMC Bank-Guru Tegh Bahadur All India Gold Cup Hockey Championship
FCI, who are making their debut in this event, drew first blood with Vinay Walmiki scoring in the fourth minute of play after an opening on the right flank which exposed the Railway’s defense.
The Railwaymen hit back immediately and converted twice, first in the 22nd minute through Yuvraj Walmiki and then three minutes later Victo Singh scored off a penalty corner when he capitalised of a rebound from the goalkeeper Aniket Dalvi pads.
FCI were quick to rake in the counter and created an opportunity through a corner which was capitalised by Imran Khan to level the scores at 2-2.
Moments before the half-time, Anup Walmiki failed to convert a stroke after a foul was committed in the FCI defense which could have helped Central take the lead in the first half.
Then second half brought ample scoring opportunities for both teams. FCI’s Prithviraj Solanki’s 44th minute goal and Aniket Muthaiya’s 55th minute effort helped FCI contain the aggressive flow of the railwaymen.
Central made a strong reply and intensified the onslaught to take total control with goals from Harmeet Singh (48th min), Affan Yusuf (61st) and Yuvraj Walmiki (65th) wrapping up the match.
Yuvraj Walmiki won the ‘Man-of-the-match’ award of Rs 1,000.
Earlier in the day, Hockey Bhopal drew with Union Bank of India 2-2 in a match which was mainly contested in the second half. Union Bank went in front with Wasim Khan scoring in the fourth minute before Bhopal equalised in the 34th minute through Imran Yusuf. The bankers regained the lead 20 minutes later through Nitin Kumar and once again the Bhopal side leveled the scores through Nikky Koshal who scored a crucial penalty corner in the 59th minute. Osaf-ur-Rehman of Hockey Bhopal was named ‘Man-of-the-match’.
Results – Pool B: Hockey Bhopal 2 (Imran Yusuf 34th, Nikky Koshal 59th) drew with Union Bank of India 2 (Wasim Khan 4th, Nitin Kumar 52nd).
Pool A: Food Corporation of India 4 (Vinay Walmiki 4th, Imran Khan 28th, Prithviraj Solanki 44th, Aniket Muthaiya 55th) lost to Central Railway 5 (Yuvraj Walmiki 22nd, 65th, Victo Singh 25th, Harmeet Singh 48th, Affan Yusuf 61st ).