Navy, Central start on bright note at hockey tournament

Mumbai Super League champions, Indian Navy, and their local competitors Central Railway, recorded contrasting wins in the 51st All India Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament that commenced here today.
The sailors struck late form and cruised to a fluent 4-0 win against Bombay Republicans in a Pool D league match at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium while Central staved off a late fightback from former champions, Army XI (Delhi), to chalk out a 2-1 victory in Pool B.
Central took an early second-minute lead against the army outfit through a fine effort by Mohammed Nizamuddin, who deftly deflected home Rajendra Pawar's assist from the right.

Ten minutes later, Central scored their second goal from a swift counter through Pawar who did well to trap Anup Walmiki's forward pass and push it past Army goalkeeper Dhanesh P.
The armymen came back fighting after the breather and made a series of raids and totally dominated the half.
They also earned six penalty corners, but could only convert from one when Rahul Singh beat Central goalkeeper Avadhut Solankar in the 47th minute to reduce the deficit.
Later, Solankar and defender Ruben Kedari made some fine saves to deny the Army side from finding the equaliser.
In the other all-Mumbai game, Navy scored through Jugraj Singh (10th minute), Kuldeep Singh junior (50th), Nitin Pawar (61st) and Pawan Rajbhar (69th) to rout Republicans.