Chennai, July 25: Indian Airlines unleashed a late blitz to outplay Mumbai XI 3-0 in the final of the 76th All-India Madras Cricket Club hockey tournament and lift the Murugappa Gold Cup at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Saturday.The triumph also fetched Airlines Rs 60,000 while Mumbai XI took home Rs 40,000.Mumbai wasted a third-minute penalty stroke when Subbaiah, quite outstanding in goal today, thwarted Gavin Ferriera. Further chances fell to Mumbai but it was just not their day.Mumbai dominated at the outset as Dhanraj Pillay, Ravi Nayakar, Sabu Varkey and Sandeep Somesh, rattled the rival defence manned by Lazarus Barla and Rajnish Misra. But mid-field efficiency was not rewarded with adept finishing.On the other hand, Indian Airlines playing a calculated game despite the absence of star forward Mukesh Kumar. Off the field for more than 10 minutes after disputing umpire Shakeel Ahmed's decision to disallow a `goal' Airlines' attack was left toothless for a considerableperiodMumbai's agony started right from the centre pass. A defence splitting move by Ravi Nayakar and Pillay almost resulted in a goal. The India star's goal-bound ball was blocked on the goalline by Airlines' Shakeel Ahmed but Subbaiah, diving to his right, saved Ferreira's penalty stroke.Re-watering of the pitch led to a 13-minute delay but did not diminish Mumbai's forward's determination when play resumed. The chances, though, continued being spurned.Airlines first threatened through Shakeel's through ball lead to a nifty one-two between Sameer Dad and Alftaf. A withering shot from Altaf went just wide.Mukesh Kumar then made a temporary exit after his shot from outside the circle beat Jude Menezes in the Mumbai goal. An argument with umpire Shakeel Qureshi who ruled against the goal led to the Olympian's suspension.But Mukesh celebrated his return with a goal in the seventh minute of the second half. Brojen Singh was blocked at the edge of the circle by Cheops D'Costa, but the ball came offthe defender's stick. Mukesh shot on the run to give Airlines the lead.Enrico Fernandes' poor trapping near the 25-yard line paved way for Airlines' second goal in the 20th minute. Brojen Singh blasted high into the net past Jude Menezes from a return pass by Samir Dad.Mukesh Kumar, adjudged the best forward of the tournament, confirmed that the selectors were right, by hammering home the last goal for Airlines two minutes from close.The `Best goalkeeper' and `Man of the Match' awards went in favour of A B Subbaiah.
