CR, Indian Navy split points
Goals within minutes of each other in the second-half ensure the match ended in a draw
MUMBAI: Central Railways salvaged a point in a 1-1 draw against Indian Navy. They were playing a Mumbai Hockey Association Super League match at the Mahindra Stadium here on Thursday. Indian Navy won a penalty corner in the 13th minute, but lacked any purpose when they executed it. Two more penalty corners gained in quick succession didn’t yield any results. As things settled down, Central Railway hogged the ball during the rest of the first half. But, for all their possession, the railway side was unable to find the target. It was the Navy team that came closest to going front. A long ball from the half line found Sish Ram’s stick to hit the bar. The striker though had no idea and he would have been lucky to have scored.
The most significant contribution from Indian Navy came through OR Singh, who picked up a yellow card in the 32nd minute. The Navy player though refused to leave the turf immediately. It took five minutes of persuasion from his teammates for Singh to leave the field. The Railway team continued to govern play but had nothing to show from it. Any of the genuine chances were hurried and there was no rapport between the players. The second half saw the navy side come out much stronger and they would have been a goal up, if Anup Kiro had buried his effort. But, he more than made up for it in the 53rd minute as he converted a penalty corner. Indian Navy for 1-0 up against the tide.
Although, their celebrations were cut short as it took the Central Railways just two minutes to draw level. Navneet Swarnakar inking his name on the sheet. The Railway team was more relieved than exuberant. AU Haq tried his level best to win the game for the Navy side, late into the match, but fell short.