PLAYING their third game on the trot, Mumbai Customs overcame Maharashtra State Police by a narrow 2-1 margin in the ongoing Mumbai Hockey Association (MHA) 2008-09 Super League at the MHA-Mahindra stadium in Churchgate on Tuesday. After being stunned in their last game by MbpT, the Customs outfit, who were without Olympian Rahul Singh, prevailed to win the closely contested encounter.
Both teams started on an even keel, as the MS Police went in without their coach Dhanraj Pillay. But the absence of the two stars did not seem to deter either of the teams, as they made a positive start to the match. The cops, who lost their opening tie to ONGC, stunned Customs with an early goal, when Vinod Nimbhore put the ball into the wooden cage of a direct pass unleashed from 25 yards by Amol Bhosle in the 9th minute. But their joy was short-lived, as Customs came right back with a controversial equalizer, which resulted in play being stopped for 15 mins. The MS Police players were unhappy with referee Mohd Amin’s decision to allow the goal, and staged a walk-out. Amin claimed that Customs player Chinglen Sana’s diagonal shot was deflected in by Stanley Fernandes, a claim that the MS Police players refuted.
But, when play resumed the goal stayed, and the teams started off with the score at 1-1. The teams went into the lemonbreak without the deadlock being broken. After resumption of play, the hard-pressing Customs unit found the decisive goal in the 65th minute. Medio Sana once again unleashed a superb cross to Shashi Topno, who was rushing in from the right. Topno struck the ball from an acute angle straight into the back of the wooden cage, leaving no chance for MS Police keeper Wahid Pathan. Customs now have six points from three games, while MS Police are still looking to open their account.
Busy hockey schedule for India
The IOA hockey ad-hoc committee has announced India’s schedule for the coming season.
Seniors: Four-nation series with hosts Pakistan, Holland and Germany; 4-match series in New Zealand in Feb-March 2009; 3-match series in England in July-Aug 2009; Australia’s proposed tour to India in May-June.
Juniors: 5-match series in Pakistan from Nov 12-20; 3-match series in Argentina in Dec, 4 nation series in Australia, Junior WC in June.