The Tribune: Railways run away with title

Beat defending champions Indian Oil 4-3 to win maiden title

Rachna Khaira
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, November 5

Railways defeated defending champions Indian Oil 4-3 in a thrilling final to win the Surjit Hockey Tournament played at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium here on Thursday.

Playing for the first time in the tournament, Railways became instant crowd-favourites and outplayed most of the teams on their way to the title win.

The winners pocketed a cash award of Rs 5 lakh. Malak Singh, who scored a brace in the final, was adjudged the Man of the Tournament for his consistent show.

It was Indian Oil who took the lead through Olympian Deepak Thakur in the 13th minute. However, four consecutive goals by Railways broke the back of the defending champions. Railways captain Vinod Kumar equalised in the 18th minute before Malak gave them the lead in the 34th minute.

In the second half, Railways struck two quick goals, through Malak (43rd) and Affan Yusuf (45th), to take a huge lead.

Indian Oil tried their best but could not match the fast pace of the Railways players. Sunil Yadav reduced the deficit in the 55th minute and Thakur brought the team back in the game with his second goal in the 63rd minute.

But Railways managed to hold on to pip the four-time winners. Indian Oil had to be content with the runners-up trophy for the sixth time and Rs 2.5 lakh. A grant of Rs 10 lakh has been given to the Surjit Hockey Society for successfully running the tournament for the last 32 years.