Juniors showcase talent

Light Blues u-21 beat Reds u-18 3-1 after Dark Blues got the better of their u-18 counterparts Orange 4-3 in the opening round of matches. Perhaps a little of disappointment as well for Reds coaches Clarence Lobo and Ajay Bansal whose under-18 charges training in Pune could havedone better had they sustained tempo in the second half.

And for Olympian Somayya hope for the future in terms of penalty corner execution. Powerfully-built Len Ayappa aspires to be an Indian Bovelander. The full-back in the under-21 side scored from the drag flick and loomed ominously at four penalty corners that the Poznan side forced. 8220;He8217;s the best on view in the country,8221; Somayya said. 8220; I haven8217;t seen another flick so powerfully,8221; the 1988 Seoul Olympics skipper added.

Inside-right Hamza Mujtaba shot Reds ahead early in the first half but Ayappa8217;s wrists restored parity from his side8217;s first penalty corner in the 25th minute. Inside-left Prakash Chalke scored a brace.