MUMBAI HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP 2010: Air India beat RCF 4-1 to claim title
Mumbai, May, 22: Air India expectedly beat Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers to claim the Mumbai Hockey Championship, and with that a modest reward of Rs. 20,000. This annual event concluded on Saturday at the Mahindra Stadium in Mumbai.
The airmen made light of 12th minute deficit to carve out a 4-1 victory and complete a grand double. They have earlier won the Mumbai Super League title. For the inexperienced RCF who made it to the finals after 23 years, it was a good opportunity to match their skills with the best in the country. Though they did their best it proved to be too high peak to scale.
RCF had earlier threatened on a couple of occasions but young Irfan Khan failed in the goalmouth. Air India short into the lead when Prabodh Tirkey converted team’s second penalty corner, the ball went off a defender’s stick over the keeper Ankit Gulia.
Air India added another two goals to the tally with Vinay Swamy essaying a powerful reverse hit the left of Ankit Gulia. He outsmarted defender with a deft turn to make way for the short. Shivendra Singh rounded of the tally following an indirect penalty corner which left the rival keeper sprawled on the ground.
Air India still went in search of goals but Gulia and Amit Gowda foiled their plans with the former bringing of at least three good saves and Gowda tackling in time to frustrate the rival forwards. Air India got nine penalty corners and converted two. RCF had two penalty corners which they failed to convert. Triple Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Merwyn Fernandis was the Chief Guest.
Recalled star Prabodh Tirkey has been adjudged Best Player of the tournament;while Lalit Upadhyaya(Air India) and Amit Gowda (RCF) got the epithlet of being promising players.