Mukhtiar guides WR into semis

The Railwaymen took lead in the 10th minute through R Gupta and the SAI boys drew parity when striker Gurmeet Singh Rao scored a field goal.SAI had another chance to take lead when national Umpire Blaise Monterio awarded a stroke to SAI when a WR defender deliberately stopped the ball in the box. But WR D Alexander came up a good save to deflect.

At half-time, both teams were locked at 1-1. Then, Singh pumped in three to put his team ahead 4-1. Chanderpal added another field goal in the 60th minute to increase the lead.

In the 65th minute, Prem Singh reduced the margin for SAI to make the score 2-5.

Western Railway, playing at Mumbai after a gap of four years, had inducted some freshfaces. Except for Mukhtiar and Callistus D8217;Souza, rest of the players are junior India probables.

Railwaymen took time to settle but once their strikers started combining, it was difficult for the SAI defence to stop them. Mukhtiar along with Gupta and Santha Kumar were on song as they were well assited by Chander Pal, Anwar from midfield.

Oak Acacdemy reign

DM Oak Cricket Academy retained the fourth Sudhir Memorial Cricket Trophy. In the 30-over final today played at Subhash Maidan, Kalyan, they beat Thane8217;s Salgaocar Cricket Club by five wickets.

Brief Scores

Salgaocar CC 161 all out in 29 overs Shoeb Shaikh 46, Vipul Valvi 25, Rugved Vanivdekar 25; Jatin Bhuyal 2-14, Jayesh Pawar 2-23, Anand Nalawade 2-25 lost to Oak Academy, Kalyan 162-5 in 29.2 overs Avinash Shaklesha 25, Suraj Pai 41 not out, Jatin Bhuyal 20 not out; Robin Goodka 3-35.