Mahadik helps Army retain the title

MUMBAI: Dhananjay Mahadik scooped home a 65th minute match-winner off a penalty corner as Army XI retained its hold on the 47th Bombay Gold Cup with a 1-0 win over Air India in the final.

Mahadik, the Army playmaker and captain, controlled the game and rightly picked up the player of the tournament award at the MHA-Mahindra stadium.

He converted the second penalty corner, picking his spot with a powerful drag-flick.

Defending champion Army, coached by Gopal Chand, enjoyed better ball possession and looked the sharper side.

Air India attacked in bursts, youngster Yuvraj Valmiki stretching the rival defence with sizzling runs down the right and even winning a penalty corner, but no goal materialised.

Dhanraj Pillay found the net once off a penalty corner with a wristy tap, but it was disallowed for not sounding the boards.

The results:

Hardlines Trophy: Indian Oil Corporation 4 (Didar Singh 3, Hamza Mujtaba) bt Punjab & Sind Bank 2 (Sharanjit Singh, Daler Singh).

Final: Army XI 1 (Dhananjay Mahadik) bt Air India 0.

Player of the tournament: Dhananjay Mahadik (Army XI). — Special Correspondent