MP ACADEMY, BHOPAL LIFT KANWARJI NEHRU JUNIOR BOYS UNDER-17 CUP

Khel Today Bureau

New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy (MPHA), Bhopal lifted the Kanwarji Construction 52nd Nehru Junior Boys (Under-17) Cup squarely outwtting pre- match favourites Naval Tata Academy, Jamshedpur 3-1.

Scoreline would have different but for Bhopal’s custodian Atif Khan who thwarted at least three concerted bids at his team’s citadel.

Mr Jagdambika Pal, MP gave away the prizes. The Fair Play trophy deservingly went to Army Boys Sports Company (MEG), Bengaluru who had lost to Naval Tata Academy in the semi-finals.

Both Naval Tata and MP Hockey Academy, Bhopal gave an electrifying start to the final forcing penalty corners in that order in first few minutes. But for goalkeeper Atif Khan under Bhopal bar, Jamshedpur Boys would have been ahead in the early stages. He came to Bhopal’s aid in the closing minutes too.

Bhopal team went ahead in the 14th minute with Viveka Pal converting a penalty corner, earned after a beautiful one-two between Love Kumar and Aashir Ali.

With Viveka Pal, Karan Gautam and Subhan Ahmed launching a series of raids winger R P Singh put Bhopal two up after a goalmouth melee. Jamshedpur team pressed hard but had to wait till 43rd minute to close the margin 1-2 through Sabian Kiro, who was closely marked in first two quarters by Bhopal team. In the dying minutes of third quarter Karan Gautam, who had a good tournament, sealed the Jamshedpur fate making it 3-1.

Atif Khan stood between the Jamshedpur team and a goal in the last quarter by bringing out at least two good saves. By then the Jamshedpur boys were a tired lot.

The Madhya Pradesh team’s Aashir Ali Khan was named the man of the tournament.

Those present in stands were Members of Parliament Dr Bhola Singh, Naresh Bansal (RS), besides Dr Parmeet Singh Chadha, Global Chairman World Sikh Chamber of Commerce. All the guests were felicitated by Mr Kukoo Walia the Secretary General of Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Society.