BEG, Khadki defeated PCMC XI 8-1 while Central Railway ousted Krida Prabodhini 6-2 in semi-finals
Pune: Central Railway (Pune Division) and Bombay Engineer Group, Khadki set up a final showdown for the 6th Late Hussain All India Hockey Tournament at the Maj. Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri on Tuesday.
Both finalists made their semifinals one sided affairs on Monday. Central Railway downed an off colour Krida Prabodhini 6-2, while local Senior Division champions BEG, Khadki posted a 8-1 win over last minute entrants PCMC XI.
The day began with Central Railway proving a far superior side than Krida Prabodhini, who had recently bagged the Junior Division title. The railway side was spearheaded by a brace of goals scored by Rajendra Pawar and Ruben Kedari.
The game began with former India international Yuvraj Walmiki (11th) scoring off a penalty corner. The goal was his seventh of the tournament which also includes two hat-tricks.
Rajendra (25th) made it 2-0. Later, Reuben (28th) found success off another penalty corner to help his team to a 4-0 lead at halftime.
Aniket Muthaya (48th) pushed the score to 5-0, before Krida Prabodhini made a breakthrough via Ganesh Patil (53rd) off a penalty corner. Nine minutes later, KP added another when Harish Shingdi netted to reduce the margin to (2-5).
Rajendra rounded off the tally with two minutes to go.
Later, BEG had Sanjay Topo’s hat-trick pave the way for his teams huge win. Goals in the 25th, 37th; 51st minutes were enough to take the game away from dull looking PCMC XI.
BEG opened their account through Boynao Singh (9th) then Kanchan Rajbhar (12th) knocked in a penalty corner to begin the rout. Therafter, Sem Kandulna (16th) and Sanjay made it 4-0.
PCMC pulled one back via Anand Gaikwad (33rd) to go into half time with a 4-1 lead.
In the second half, Sanjay netted twice , skipper Kanchan Rajbhar (48th) found success from a penalty corner and Rahul Tirkey (57th) added the eighth to complete the tally and ensured a place in the final.
Results:
Semifinal 1: Central Railway (Pune Division) 6 (Yuvraj Walmiki 11th; Rajendra Pawar 25th & 68th; Ruben Kedari 28th & 35th; Aniket Muthaya 48th) bt Krida Prabodhini: 2 (Ganesh Patil 53rd; Harish Shingdi 62nd).
Semifinal 2: Bombay Engineer Group, Khadki : 8 (Boynao Singh 9th; Kanchan Rajbhar 12th & 48th; Sem Kandulna 16th; Sanjay Topo 25th, 37th; 51st; Rahul Tirkey 57th) bt PCMC XI : 1 (Anand Gaikwad 33rd).
TUESDAY’S FIXTURES
Third Place: Krida Prabodhini vs PCMC XI - 1.00pm
Final: Central Railway (Pune Division) vs Bombay Engineer Group - 3.00 pm.
