CHENNAI, JULY 9: Indian Hockey Federation Seniors (IHF) Seniors XI managed to edge out a fighting Tamil Nadu XI 2-1, but it had to be a brilliant 10th minute golden goal in the second extra-time by Deepak Sharma to enable Mumbai XI after a 3-3 draw at regulation time against Air-India XI, to set up a title clash in the 77th All India MCC Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Astro Turf Stadium here today.Despite a poor defence, Air-India XI, down 1-3, 44 minutes into the match equalised through two splendid penalty corner conversions by Coorgilen Aiyappa (53rd) and international Rajesh Chauhan (63rd). Air-India muffed an easy chance in the first extra time when captain Krishnakumar with an open goal in front, failed to trap a cross from Edward Aranha.Earlier, Darryl D'Souza's opportunistic deflection in the eighth minute restored parity for Air-India, whose lose defence almost throughout the pulsating contest was evident. Mumbai XI spearheaded by Sabu Varkey, the captain and Deepak Sharma up front snatched a vital 1-0 lead five minutes into the match with M K Prakash making no mistake on the rebound, off the first penalty corner.In the first semi-final, the IHF Seniors snatched the lead through a mercurial effort by former India captain and centre forward Dhanraj Pillay in the 32nd minute of the first half for a 1-0 lead.But, in the 50 th minute captain Radhakrishnan striking from the top of the circle, restored parity for the state team.But Baljit Chandi converted a penalty corner which ultimately saw the team through.The final will be played tomorrow.
