Winning Railway Team Photo Credit: M.Vedhan
The Indian Railways team received a standing ovation as the Indian Railways team took a lap of honor after a hard-fought 5-3 win over Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in the final of the 95th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup All India Hockey Tournament. Here on Sunday.
Railways, the defending champions, dominated throughout and in the summit clash, all the more so because it did not allow the IOC – which included many Olympians and internationals – to settle down.
The team got nine penalty corners, including eight in the first quarter, but only one could be converted.
As Railways went ahead 4-2 in the third quarter, IOC was left with a mountain to climb. It attacked well on several occasions but failed miserably in the final third. Additionally, the former champions also got eight penalty corners and converted only one.
“I would attribute this win to my fitness level. Although the IOC had many stars, our players were fitter and better. I would like to pick young Simranjot Singh not only for his ability to score but also for his receiving skills. Of course, it has been a 100% team effort,” said Railways head coach Sunil Kumar Singh.
Result (Final): Indian Railways 5 (Gursahibjit Singh 7, Simranjot Singh 9, Yuvraj Walmiki 18 & 58, Mukul Sharma 35) bt IOC 3 (Talwinder Singh 23, Gujinder Singh 29, Rajbir Singh 58).
published – September 29, 2024 09:14 PM IST