Air India beat Customs

Mumbai, September 15: A brace by Yuvraj Walmiki enabled Air India beat Mumbai Customs 3-0 in their MHA Super League tie played at the Mahindra Stadium today. The airmen had the going somewhat easy in the first session of play knocking in all the goals but got bogged down in the next as their youthful rivals put up a spirited display marking the dangerous Dhanraj Pillay out of the game. The star of yesteryear who has frustrated let fly verbal volleys at his marker Praven Bhivgade which left a bad impression on the youngster of the ‘god’ he had worshipped from his childhood days. The win, their fourth straight one took Air India’s tally to twelve points. Customs on the other hand have lost all their three matches.

Customs minus their regular keeper Lincoln Taites were forced to requisition the services of veteran Anson Thomas and that made the difference in the end. No doubt the keeper foiled a good attempt from Sameer Dad, a first time shot from the top of the circle after a fine defence splitting move down the middle with Dhanraj. But the first penalty corner for Air India gave them the much needed lead in the 14th minute. An indirect exercise saw Yuvraj getting the ball on the left and he quickly nailed a shot to the right of Anson’s goal. Yuvraj doubled his individual tally latching on to a loose ball following a Samir Dad foray in the 23rd minute. Yuvraj lurking by picked the ball from a defender’s stick and shot instantly through a host of legs which probably unsighted Anson. Yuvraj who has a hat-trick in the league to his credit failed to register one today. Another indirect penalty corner variation and Yuvraj with the rival keeper at his mercy squandered the opportunity.

Air India struck again with a couple of minutes left for the break. Sandeep Michael’s short square pass was swept home by Samir Dad in style.

The second half saw a spirited Customs organize themselves well and launch swift counters. Neeraj Yadav and Irshad Mirza penetrated deep into Air India’s territory on a number of occasions only to fritter away gilt-edged opportunities. The absence of a genuine striker was definitely felt at that stage. Savio Nayak who combined well with the two was found lacking and so was Stanley Fernandes. Old war-horse Rahul Singh tried hard but barring the promptings to his forwards was a passenger owing to his limited movements. The yellow card he earned at a crucial time (20th minute) proved costly for his team. Air India’s Cheeanna escaped from getting a yellow card for dissent.

Tomorrow’s matches

2.30 pm Indian Navy Vs S.A.I

4.00 pm O.N.G.C Vs M.S.Police