Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Mumbai, April 27: A late goal apart, the Bombay Hockey Association Colts8217; match against Mumbai Port Trust had as much action as a marathon of snails.
The colts advanced through a late goal by Girish Pimple in the sixth Guru Tegh Bahadur All-India Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mahindra Stadium on Thursday but dished out ordinary fare.
A move on the left, initiated by Edwin Motti, triggered into the much desired change in the scoreboard. Satish Yadav latched onto the bait, crossed to Junaid Jada, who did little justice to his talent in falling prey to his own skills most of the times.
Jada, anyway, moved the ball ahead to Pimple whose swirling strike with his back to the goal brushed past onrushing goalkeeper Jahangir Shaikh onto the boards.
The match, though not the most active for the two goalkeepers, saw both custodians doing their bit even if the goal-bound strikes lacked in punch. That the attack was devoid of sting should be a cause for worry for the colts who would need to do much better against stronger teams.
Sameer Jada8217;s well hit shot in the 64th minute from the edge of the D8217; was gloved out by BHA 8216;keeper Wahid Pathan who had two saves in the first half also. He warded off a penalty corner threat and then a back flick from Ram Bahadur 8212; both late in the opening half.
Shaikh was not far behind, gloving a hit by Hugh D8217;Penha, pushing Satish Yadav8217;s flick over, and padding away Motti8217;s incoherent effort. The Colts8217; striker, out of control after a furious run down the middle, managed a shot which headed straight to Shaikh8217;s pads in the 56th minute.
A weak clearance by Pimple, a few minutes later, almost resulted in a goal but Leonard Pereira could not find the gap past Pathan. Neither could Motti in the 61st minute though his weak attempt would not have forced a squatting crow to fly.
