Air India rout Central Railway while Navy and Western Railways share points

Mumbai, September 10: Strong contenders for the title Air India routed Central Railway 6-2 and an improved Indian Navy snatched a point from former champions Western Railway in a match which ended in a 2-2 draw in the Mumbai Super League encounters played at the Mahindra Stadium today. The highlight of the Air India and Central Railway match was a fine understanding displayed by the forward line in which veterans Sameer Dad and four times Olympian Dhanraj Pillay showed glimpses of their sublimes skills which paled those of others. Western now lead the table with seven points from three outings while Air India have six from two matches. Central and Navy three and two points from two matches respectively.

Air India were in the driver’s seat by the break with three goals to their credit at the interval. They tasted success as early as the second minute converting a penalty corner. Dhanraj Pillay laid a perfect pass for Sameer Dad to find the mark with ease from indirect set piece. The airmen’s attempts to double the lead came a cropper when Sandeep Michael try following a Sameer Dad and Mukesh Walmiki move hit the cross bar. Mukesh himself missed thereafter, fumbling in front of the goalmouth. The much sought goal came in the 21st minute as Dhanraj Pillay and Sameer Dad combined well once again to feed Taranjit Singh who finishes clinically. Alden D’Souza then collected Dhanraj’s pass to put Air India 3-0 up in the 29th minute of play.

The trend continued after the break with the airmen dominating right through. The goalmouth melee in the 48th minute enables Sandeep Michael to score from an acute angle after Alden’s run from the right had set the cat among the pigeons. Central Railway scored in the 49th and 52nd minutes through Shashi Topno. The first was an indirect conversion off a penalty corner and the other came after he collected a rebound from the Air India keeper Gurpreet Singh’s pads. In between Air India scored their fifth goal via a penalty stroke converted by Simranjit Singh. Air India rounded up the tally in the penultimate minute through A.B.Cheeanna from a pass by Taranjit Singh.

Western Railway after missing a host of chances found the mark in the 32nd minute of play with the help of a penalty stroke. Suresh Kumar’s drag flick from the first penalty corner hit a Navy defender on the goal line. Kuldeep Singh converted from the spot. The sailors too got their first goal from a stroke. Bharat Singh was stick checked in the circle and Surendra Kumar converted beating Suraj Kantha in the Western Railway goal. Suraj rescued Western in the 49th minute blocking a try by Ajay Kumar of Navy. Western hit back in the 53rd minute to go ahead again from a goal by K.K.Bharat. Another attempt by Western to go ahead was thwarted by Navy keeper Kalu Ram who palmed away a stiff try by Hardeep Singh. Navy finally snatched a point with a goal in the 61st minute. Liaba Singh stunned Western with a powerful hit from the fourth penalty corner.

Tomorrow’s matches

2.30 pm R.C.F Vs M.S.Police

4.00 pm O.N.G.C Vs Mumbai Customs