Mumbai : Former champions Western Railway outplayed Central Secretariat 5-3 in the concluding Super Division match of the MHAL (Mumbai Hockey Association Limited) League – 2016, and played at the MHAL Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate, on Wednesday evening. For the Railway outfit the goals came through the efforts of Manjinder Singh (24th minute), Manpreet Singh (26th), Jaykaran (34th) and two goals from Malak Singh (47th and 56th), while Central Secretariat scored through Hasan Basha (36th), Felix Ba (65th) and S. Shivmani (66th).
The three points earned from this crucial win helped the railwaymen finish in second position with 14 points and secure a place in Friday’s final against table toppers Indian Navy, who had also finished with 14 points, sealed the pole position, but by virtue of having a better goal-difference. Central Railway finished third with 12 points.
Earlier, a youthful Bombay Republicans produced another sterling display to eke out a deserving 2-1 win over Union Bank of India. Suraj Shahi (17th) and Tikaram Thakulla (66th) were on target for Republicans, while Union Bank got their lone goal through Nitin Kumar (41st).
Republicans’ hard work and dedication paid off as they clinched the fourth position, which earned them a direct entry for the prestigious Bombay Gold Cup, which is scheduled to commence later next month.
Tikaram Thakullav of Bombay Republicans and Malak Singh of Western Railway were named ‘Man of the match’ in their respective matches and they both were presented with a cash award of Rs 1,000 each by MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakshi and Executive Managing Committee member Harish Sawhney.
