Bagade’s brace in Tatas triumph

They started off by blocking passes from Navy play maker Avtar Singh. This ensured that the Navy forwards had virtually nothing to do in the first half. Besides this, Tatas half-backs, Weldon Miranda and Enrico Fernandes had a good game falling back in defence. Full back Abraham Mathew also had a good game, at times moving up with the half-backs.

With Tata forwards, Bagade and Manoj Lokhande getting constant feeds from Enrico, Viren Rasquinha, Cleas Pereira and Weldon, Navy were backpeddaling for most of the game.

Navy had just one opportunity throughout the game — Amus Bara’s hit from right deflecting off the stick of Ahsan ul-Haque but Tatas goalkeeper Brian D’Souza was atthe right place at the right. This was during the period when Tatas captain Enrico was on a yellow card suspension.

Only for that brief period did Navy have more attacks and they created the opportunity that Haque missed.

That Navy got just three penalty corners through the match was testimony enough of Tatas’ near faultless defence.

Tatas’ early chance came when Enrico’s stinging shot was saved by Navy goalkeeper, RVS Prasad by putting his left foot out.

In the 40th minute, Tatas scored their first goal when from a free-hit, Weldon Miranda’s cross was deflected by the diving Bagade who celebrated by pumping his fist.

Tatas had another opportunity after their opening goal when Enrico set up Cleas on the left with the Navy defence crowding Bagade and Lokhande on the right. Cleas, however, did not connect properly and the ball ballooned high and wide.

The second goal came in the 66th minute with Viren darting down the left. He passed to Lokhande, who ran upfield and from close to the goalline, foundBagade at the right place. Bagade did not make any mistake.

Tatas were richer by Rs 11,000 while Navy had to settle for Rs 7,000. The losing semi-finalists, RCF and Bank of India earned Rs 1,000.

Brian D’Souza of Tatas was declared the best goalkeeper, Harpreet Singh of Khalsa, the best full-back, Conroy Rodrigues of RCF the best half-back and Stanley Fernandes of Bombay Republicans the best forward.