University of Mumbai wins inter-zonal final

Special Arrangement University of Mumbai players pose with the trophy after winning the final of Inter-zonal Inter-University men’s hockey tournament at MHA-Mahindra stadium in Mumbai.

University of Mumbai overcame Kurukshetra University, Haryana 2-1 via a 68th-minute goal in the final of the INK Infrastructure Inter-zonal Inter-University men’s hockey, conducted by M M K. College at MHA-Mahindra stadium.

Malak Singh for visitors, Dharmendra Antil and Pradeep Kumar for the hosts were on target. Madras University grabbed the third place. Mumbai faced a stiff challenge from the Haryana side and surrendered the advantage by conceding a goal in the second minute. Following a move down the middle, Kurukshetra’s schemer Manpreet Singh opened up the home team defence with a through ball for Malak to surge past a couple of defenders into the striking circle and score with a crackling shot.

The home team counter-attacked and equalised in the 26th minute with help from captain Yuvraj Walmiki, whose move on the left followed by a stunning reverse hit found Dharmendra in the right place and the right time to deflect in. The former missed a penalty stroke with a scoop into the upright. Pradeep netted the match-winner cashing in on a mistake by the defence.

Final result: University of Mumbai 2 (Dharmendra Antil, Pradeep Kumar) bt Kurukshetra University, Haryana 1 (Malak Singh). Third place: Madras University 2 bt Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar 1.