Hockey: Friends Union notches up win
Friends Union ‘B’ edged out Raja Bungalow Sports Club in the Junior Division of the All-India Aga Khan Hockey Tournament at the PCMC Polygrass Ground yesterday.
Roopesh Sharanpalli opened the scoring in the 21st minute, with Yogesh Thakur providing him with the pass. Dinesh Chauhan soon drew Raja Bungalow level, however, netting in the 40th minute off a pass from Rocky Anthony.
The winning goal came in the 48th minute off the stick of Shubham Thakur, with Yogesh setting it up yet again as Friends Union ‘B’ secured the win.
In the Senior Division, MLI Pune had to rely on a tiebreaker to beat Rakshak Sports Club, after being locked 2-2 with them at the full-time whistle. Rakshak drew first blood in the 8th minute when Yogesh Pawar converted penalty corner. However, Ganesh Kalkekar and Jagdish Peedake struck two crucial blows in the 16th and 26th minute to give MLI a 2-1 lead.
They almost managed to hold onto this lead, but Rakshak striker Vishal Salunkhe scored late-on, netting in the 55th minute to level the scores.
In the shootout, Jagdish Patil, Atish Patil, Nandu Jagtap and Prashant Bhosale netted their strokes for MLI, while Vikram Khalse and Tushar Kamble were the only players from Rakshak SC to find the net, thus giving MLI a 6-4 overall victory.
Friends Union ‘A’ take on BEG in today’s fixture, while Green Meadows face Metro Sports Club. The last match of the day sees Pune City Police take on the Sikh Regiment at the PCMC Ground.