Mumbai edge past Maharashtra

Mumbai, november 27: The Mumbai team, comprising a last-minute combination, huffed and puffed before they got the better of Maharashtra by...

Mumbai, november 27: The Mumbai team, comprising a last-minute combination, huffed and puffed before they got the better of Maharashtra by the odd goal in three in the opening Pool â€˜Dâ€™ game of the 60th National Hockey Championship at the Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate, on Monday.

In fact, Maharashtra had the better share of the goal scoring chances and an even number of penalty-corners, five each. But a couple of near misses, two good saves by Mumbai custodian PU Bopanna and a fine display in defence by full-back Callistus Dâ€™Souza, prevented the visitors from scoring more than once.Mumbai relied heavily on Olympian and their captain Sabu Varkey in their approach work. And the skipper did not let them down. He had a hand in both the goals his team scored.

First, Sabu initiated the move which fetched Mumbai their first goal in the 13th minute through left-winger Leonard Pereira. Leonard applied the finishing touches with a reverse stick after Maharashtra goalkeeper Harjinder Singh had needlessly left his charge and failed to clear the ball, following a Sabu diagonal pass.

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Sabu came up with one of his characteristic short sprints and earned his side the decisive fourth penalty-corner in the 60th minute, which eventually turned out to be the match-winner. Mumbai defender MK Prakash scored with a neat drag flick.

Maharashtraâ€™s lone goal came in the 30th minute through Sachin Godse who tapped home from close. The goal came following a good combined move between Prabodhan Barla and Naman Bage, both inside forwards.

Todayâ€™s matches: 11 am Gujarat vs Mumbai; 2.00 pm Maharashtra vs Tatas; 4 pm Indian Oil vs CRPF.

Sources in the LJP (RV) said the names of the remaining 15 candidates would also be announced very soon.

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