Southern Rly subdue Indian Bank

Southern Railway fashioned a convincing 3-0 win over Indian Bank, Chennai to book their berth in the elite main draw of the 47th Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament at the MHA-Mahindra Stadium on Monday.

A more organised Southern dominated the match from the start with Indian Bank striving hard to make a comeback with a brief second half challenge.

But Southern, who scored all their goals within the first 20 minute of the opening half to rest on a comfortable cushion, had little reason to panic. They held possession while Indian Bank, who squandered four penalty corners, struggled to penetrate a tight defence.

Southern played to a plan and had the match well in control as they opened their account in the ninth minute off S. Raja’s penalty stroke.

Five minutes later, Dinesh Nayak swelled the lead off the second of eight penalty corners earned in the match.

As Southern held sway, never allowing the bankmen to settle down, Thirulmalvalavan slammed in a brilliant solo effort after evading three defenders.

With a comfortable lead, Southern chose not to exert themselves and endured Indian Bank’s late charge with stout defending.

Southern Railway join last year’s winners Army XI and Inter Railway runners-up South Central Railway in Group A of the elite league that kicks off on Tuesday.

Result: Southern Rly 3 (S. Raja, Dinesh Nayak, Thirulmalvalavan) bt Indian Bank, Chennai 0.

TUESDAY: 2.15 p.m. BPCL vs Indian Navy (Group D); 4.15 p.m. South Central Railway vs Southern Rly (Group A) [47th Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament at the MHA-Mahindra Stadium]