The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Mumbai beats Universities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Mumbai beats Universities

Kirti Patil

NEW DELHI: Indian Universities' campaign suffered a serious jolt as Mumbai defeated the runner-up of the last National 2-0, in the Pool B league match in the 53rd National Women's hockey championship at the Shivaji Stadium here on Wednesday.

The Universities team was no match for Mumbai, composed mostly of second-string Railways players. Mumbai's win has raised the stakes in the Pool B as favourite Jharkhand is yet to open its campaign. In the same pool, Delhi defeated PEPSU 2-1 to make it a virtual four-way contest for the two semifinal berths.

The Mumbai frontline grabbed the early initiative when Sadhna Singh made an excellent run from the left before Paulina Surin deflected the ball into the post. The eighth minute goal set the Universities side in disarray.

Nishi Chauhan, who once was a National prospect, appeared in Mumbai colours for the first time after making a move from Chandigarh. Nishi, however, was pathetically slow in her reflexes, missing a good chance in the 38th minute.

Mumbai had a simple game plan. It made sure that ball remained in its position for most part of the match. It sealed the match in the 52nd minute when Reena Ekka went up and set up Sadhna, who slammed the ball on the run.

In Pool A, Railways and Haryana continued their rampage. Railways thrashed Kerala 14-0 with international striker Jyoti Sunita Kullu getting into the thick of the action scoring four times. Sanggai Ibemhal Chanu, Mamta Kharab and Amrita Minz scored two goals each while Kanti Baa, Subhadra Pradhan, Saba Anjum and Adline Kerketta were the other scorers.

Haryana was as clinical as Railways. In fact, Haryana forward line had better possession of the ball and was always in control of the match against Air-India. Jasjeet Kaur was tentative in the first half but finished with four goals, as did Sarvajeet Kaur, who had a hat-trick to show for her efforts. Kanu Priya and Kamala Cheema lapped up the chances, scoring two goals each, as Air-India lost 12-0.

The results: Pool A: Railways 14 (Adline Kerketta 4th, Jyoti Sunita Kullu 10th, 17th, 23rd and 33rd, Saba Anjum 11th, Sanggai Ibemhal Chanu 21st, 47th, Kanti Baa 25th, Amrita Minz 29th and 48th, Subhadra Pradhan 36th, Mamta Kharab 57th and 59th) bt Kerala 0.

Haryana 12 (Sarvjeet Kaur 1st, 6th, 12th and 44th, Kamala Cheema 15th and 68th, Jasjeet Kaur 22nd, 42nd, 47th and 65th, Kanu Priya 49th and 55th) bt Air India 0.

Pool B: Mumbai 2 (Paulina Surin 8th, Sadhna Singh 52nd) bt Indian Universities 0.

Delhi 2 (Sushila Sharma 10th, Sonika Yadav 56th) bt PEPSU 1 (Manpreet Kaur 53rd).

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport