Air India, ONGC to clash in final

Air India steamrolled Union Bank of India, 8-2, in the semifinal of the Mumbai Hockey Championship on Saturday. It was the first time in four years that the MHA Stadium hosted a match under floodlights.

Air India’s Sameer Dad hit the first goal in the second minute, but it wasn’t long before UBI got the equaliser, courtesy Sandeep Singh. Thereafter, the experienced AI just took the game away, scoring five goals in the next 35 minutes. Air India led 6-1 at half-time.

“They are a young team and definitely fitter than us. Our experience in the past has made us realise that it is necessary to score right in the beginning to put some pressure on a young team,” said Sameer Dad.

UBI tried making a comeback by scoring their second goal, but Air India hit back with two more goals and wrapped up the game by an overwhelming margin.

Air India will now face ONGC in the final on Sunday which is slated to be thrilling encounter. “It will be a tough match. Both are strong teams. But the good part is that we have played each other in the past,” said Dad.

He said he enjoyed the experience of playing under the lights.

“The ground is good; it’s like playing in Europe,” he added.