Chennai retain Ports title

November 30: Om Mahesh spanked home a golden goal from a penalty-corner to bring Chennai their fifth successive All-India Major Ports hocke...

November 30: Om Mahesh spanked home a golden goal from a penalty-corner to bring Chennai their fifth successive All-India Major Ports hockey championship title with a 2-1 (full-time 1-1) win over Visakhapatnam at the Mahindra Stadium, here today.

Chennai, down by an early goal fought back to take control, dominating the second half before scoring the match-winner four minutes into extra-time.Goals by Abhijit Sirsat and Digvijay Naik brought Mumbai third place with a 2-0 victory over Calcutta. Visakhapatnam took the lead in the eighth minute through a fine field goal by Nelson Peter who rifled in a pass from L Das from the left. Chennai equalised in the 15th minute through Player of the Tournament PK Nanaiah who deflected home following a move from the right.

Visakhapatnam coach, former State player and national umpire, Gopal Krishna Patnaik thought his team did well despite having only gravel to practice on at home.

Mohammad Muneer, Chennai manager, urged his side to control their efforts on a damaged pitch, keeping in mind the possibility of injuries. No injuries were caused by the pitch, despite the keenness of the sides that saw three yellow cards shown. Chennai, attacking through Anna Kumar, Muthukrishnan and State player PK Nanaiah, kept the Vizag defence on tenterhooks. The Andhra side, with as many 11 State players in the side, pieced together the occassional raid with some good work by mid-fielder Narashima Murty, but rarely did it disturb Chennai’s composure.

Visakhapatnam forced their second penalty-corner as the whistle went but Chennai staved off the danger taking the match into extra time..M Kameshwara Rao (Best Goalkeeper, Vizag), G Srinivas (Best Defender, Vizag), Shane D’Costa (Best Half, Mumbai), M Hiren (Best Forward, Calcutta) and Nanaiah (Player of the Tournament), were some of the players who won special awards in the 20th edition of the tourney.