Valmiki scripts Victory
Slams three goals to trash Metro SC
In spite of playing with a 10-member squad for almost 45 minutes, Vikram Pillay Academy had no problem in thrashing Metro Sports Club, as they cantered into the last four round with a 6-1 win in the Saros N Kothavalla Hockey Tournament at the Dhyanchand stadium here on Monday.
VPAs forward Cyril Vanarnd failed to make it for the match on time and when he reported the match was almost over. However, his absence didnt cost much for the team as the right inner Yuvraj Valmiki did the job for the winners. Valimiki slammed three goals, while Manoj Pillay scored a brace.
With the Pillay brothers Vikas and Vinods presence the young team of VPA outshined their opponents with swift attacks from both the flanks as well as from the centre. “We maintained the speed of the game right from the beginning and it looked like we were playing in a Mumbai league match, as such a speedy game is the speciality of Mumbai teams,” quipped Shafiqe Shaikh, captain VPA. “Valmiki and Alwyin played an outstanding game. I hope they will repeat their performance in the next games too,” he added.
It was Valmiki who stunned their opponents with a cracking goal in the second minute of the game. He received a good pass from BK Muthannna and it was a flawless shot which rested in the net and left the Metro keeper as a mere spectator.
In the 9th minute, Valmiki launched another attack from the right flank and found a gap in Metros defence. His pass was nicely received by Manoj Pillay who took the opportunity to double up the lead.
Valmiki kept the Metro player on their toes as he struck again in the 11th minute and scored his second goal, which gave VPA a vital 3-0 lead.
The second half was simply dominated by VPA players as they were reinforced with the forward player Cyril. In contrast, Metro players were struggling to match with the pace of the game and surrendered tamely to their rivals. Manoj Pillay added one more goal in the 36th minute on the feed from Vinod Pillay, followed by Alwyn Alexander who scored in the 41st minute. Valmiki made the matter worst for Metro as he scored his third goal of the match in the 56th minute to seal the victory. Sanjay Kollayya was the lone scorer for Metro SC.
Result: VPA: 6 (Yuvraj Valmiki 2nd, 11th, 56th; Manoj Pillay 9th, 36th; Alwyn Alexander 41st ) bt Metro SC A: (Sanjay Kollayya 43rd).