Left winger Manjinder Singh played a stellar role by providing two measured passes which were clinically converted and helped Western Railway charge to a commanding 4-2 victory against an uncharacteristic Mumbai Customs in a Super Division match of the MHAL League 2017-2018, at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate on Saturday evening.
This was the fourth win for Western while Customs suffered their first defeat after winning their opening two games.
In the 14th minute Manjinder picked up a pass on the left flank and raced down before pushing across for Rajan Kandulna to tap past Customs goalkeeper Lincoln Taites to give Western the lead. Fourteen minutes later, Manjinder made another good run and set up skipper Jay Karan to deflect home the second goal. Just before the half-time hooter Osaf-ur-Rehman scored from a narrow angle to give Western a solid 3-0 cushion.
Customs showed signs of putting up a fight when they managed to cut the deficit with Hasan Basha hitting home in the 43rd minute. But Western continued to press forward and added the fourth goal when drag-flicker Manpreet Singh powerfully flicked home from a penalty corner in the 57th minute. Customs managed to reduce the margin of defeat when Basha scored in the 62nd minute.
Earlier, Sports Authority of India, comprising of some talented youngsters put up a solid spirited display but went down fighting 3-4 to the more experienced Indian Navy, who registered their fourth win and continue to sit in first position with 14 points. For SAI this was their fourth straight loss.
Defending champions Navy got the ir goals through Jugraj Singh (3rd min-PC), Rana Pratap (23rd min and 28th min) and Navpreet Singh (55th min), while Sports Authority of India scored through Arvind Yadav (6th min), Srikant Bodigam (26th min) and Dheeraj Vats (49th min-PC).
Western Railway’s left half Narender Yadav and Indian Navy midfielder Rana Pratap won the ‘Man of the Match’ awards in their respective matches and both received a cash award of Rs 1,000 each.
There will be no match on Sunday. The next round of matches will be played on Monday. In the first match, Western Railway will take on Union Bank of India at 2.30pm and later in the evening Central Railway clash with Mumbai Customs at 4.15pm.
Results: Western Railway (Rajin Kandulna 14th, Jay Karan 28th, Osaf-ur-Rehman 34th, Manpreet Singh 57th) beat Mumbai Customs (Hasan Basha 43rd, 62nd). MoM: Narender Yadav (Western Railway).
Indian Navy 4 (Jugraj Singh 3rd-PC, Rana Pratap 23rd, 28th, Navpreet Singh 55th) beat Sports Authority of India 3 (Arvind Yadav 6th, Srikant Bodigam 26th, Dheeraj Vats 49th-PC). MoM: Rana Pratap (Indian Navy).