The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : IOB rallies to clinch title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 16, 2007
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Sport - Hockey

IOB rallies to clinch title

Hockey Correspondent

Chennai : Stretched till the last quarter, Indian Overseas Bank (Chennai) managed to capture the Champions Cup via tie-breaker against a spirited Reserve Lines (Madurai) in the final of the SDAT-TNHA tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Thursday.

IOB won 6-4 after the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of the regulation time.

That IOB came back into the fight only 10 minutes before the hooter underscores the tussle it had to wage against the district outfit.

Neither the individual moves of Muthukumar and Senthil, nor the promptings of Senthil Kumar from the mid-field disturbed the tight defence put up by Reserve Line.

Opening goal

Actually, the Madurai combination displayed more system and gumption but failed to hold on in the final minutes. Satish scored a brilliant goal within minutes of start with a neat deflection.

Thereafter, the defence held on gamely thanks to the splendid work under the bar by Amarnath.

IOB failed to make capital of as many seven penalty corners. What saved it the blushes was the snap goal that D. Felix netted late in the match from the top of the circle.

In the tie breaker, IOB's experience gained in the end when Madurai's Kannan fumbled in the fourth flick.

Mr. D. Kumaraaswamy, Vice-President, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu presided and gave away the prizes in the presence of Mr. K. Jothikumaran, Secretary, TNHA.

The following special prizes were awarded. Goalkeeper: Tejesh (Joe Joe HC, Tiruchi), mid-fielder: Kannan (Reserve Line, Madurai), best forward: Aswin (Young Challengers, Tirunelveli), promising player: Muthu (Jothi SC, Tirunelveli).

The result:

IOB (D. Felix) 1 (5-Muthukumar, M. Senthil, Felix, Muthuselvan, Arun Kumar) bt Reserve Lines 1 (Satish) (3-Palani, Satish, Sivabalan).

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