Mumbai ground A-I

Air-India flatered to deceive. Down by a 7th-minute goal scored by Mumbai8217;s Dhanraj Pillay, Air-India rallied to equalise through Surinder Kundu. Both goals were scored within 20 minutes of each other.

Air-India took the rivals by surprise when Gagan Ajit Singh connected a pass from Cornelius D8217;Costa in the 24th minute to take the lead 2-1. But the euphoria was shortlived, when Mumbai restored parity just a minute later. A long shot from the 25-yard line by Prakash was connected in a flash by Mehesh Bagade, who showed amazing anticipation by positioning himself inside the circle. On resumption, the Mumbai forward line comprising SabuVarkey, Ravi Nayakar, Sandeep Somesh and Mahesh Bagade attacked vigorously. Their exchanges were good but one lost account of the chances they missed inside the circle.

Though Nayakar twice failed to cash in on easy chances, he was impressive in sending across three passes, which, however, went abbegging. However it was Nayakar who gave Mumbai the lead by scoring his team8217;s second goal, of a defensive lapse.

Mumbai made it safe when Bagade went on to score the last goal too after a bout of passing by Gavin Ferreira and Dhanraj Pillay.

IA ABSORB EARLY PRESSURE: Tamil Nadu set the pace but Indian Airlines, absorbing initial pressure, progressed to knock the stuffing out of their rivals.

L Prabhakaran 8212; Tamil Nadu8217;s dangerman 8212; was bottled up by Sanjay Bhist. It was left to Paul Kirubhakaran, Jagan Sendhil and Felix to put the pressure on the rivals. Tamil Nadu came close to taking the lead in the 3rd minute but Felix accepting Prabhakaran8217;s pass shot straight into Airlines custodianSubbaiah.

Airlines took control of the game and forced three penalty corners in the first half. Tamil Nadu did well to avert danger with TN custodian Natarajan rising to the occasion. But it was surprising when he let go a feeble shot of Lazarus Barla for Airlines to score their first goal. The Airlines8217; second goal in the 14th minute was scored by Mukesh Kumar off a goalkeeper rebound after Sameer Dad had taken the first shot.

The Tamil Nadu players indulged in individualistic play which did not help their cause.Airlines completed their tally with their sixth penalty corner, scored by Rajnish Misra.

LIVE TELECAST

Doordarshan I will telecast live the finals of the 76th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey tournament, to be played between Indian Airlines and Mumbai XI here on Saturday. The telecast will be from 14.30 hrs.