CHAMPIONS O.N.G.C PREVAIL OVER CUSTOMS: R.C.F IMPRESS

Mumbai, September 11: Champions O.N.G.C who were slightly off colour managed to beat Mumbai Customs 3-2 while Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers impressed in their 3-0 win over Maharashtra State Police in their Mumbai Hockey Super League matches played at the MHA Mahindra Stadium in Mumbai. The win for ONGC takes their tally to nine points in three games which gives them the top spot . For RCF and their opponents this was their first outing. The highlight of ONGC’s win was a brace scored by Jaykaran. The right winger delighted with his runs down the flank with the second goal being the best piece of action from him. Receiving the ball just outside the circle he foxed Lincoln Taites in the Customs goal with a brilliant on the run shot which he unleashed on the wrong foot, a rare sight these days in hockey.

Customs who looked more determined today due to the presence of Stanley Fernandes and former railway man Gursev Singh surprised ONGC with a 21st minute field goal from the former. The lean inside forward shot low to the boards beating rival keeper Kamaldeep hands down. ONGC level score through a penalty stroke little before half time. Veteran Amarjeet converted on the spot with a minute to go for half time Jaykaran score with a rasping hit that sent the ball high into the net leaving Lincoln a mute spectator. The second half saw Customs regain ground but fail to score from at least half a dozen circle penetrations. ONGC who had earned five penalty corners in the first session got just one in the second which indicate the trend of play. They however, held on to frustrate their rivals. Customs managed to narrow the margin of defeat in the 67th minute through Niraj Yadav. The move was initiated by Gursev with an aerial ball to Niraj Yadav who combined with fellow forward Laxmi Yadav to enter the striking circle before unleashing a reverse hit to the top corner of the goal.

RCF struck early in the 7th minute as Laxman Rao found the mark from an acute angle with in five minute RCF consolidate their position through Sandeep Kumar who capitalized on a pass from Laxman Rao . M.S.Police playing their first match were disjointed lot in the absence of a proper coach and manager. RCF earned half a dozen penalty corners with none converted. They rounded up the tally towards the fag end of play with Amit Gowda picking a rebound off MSP keeper Imran’s pads to find the mark.

Tomorrow’s matches

2.30 pm Western Railway Vs S.A.I

4.00 pm Air India Vs Mumbai Port Trust