Man of the match Alden D’Souza nets brace

BHOPAL: Three time champions Mumbai overcame Haryana 3-2 in a thrilling championship round to regain the 63rd Rangaswamy Cup Senior National Hockey Championship at the floodlit Aishbagh Astroturf Stadium, Bhopal on Sunday.

In a match that could have gone either way, Mumbai were forced to endure a determined second half challenge from Haryana, who were eager to lay their hands on the prestigious title in their maiden attempt.

Following an evenly balanced first quarter, in which both teams tried to hold possession, Mumbai shot into the lead after a couple of raids with Alden D’Souza’s blinder of a reverse hit from the edge of the circle on the left piercing through a stunned Haryana defence in the 22nd minute.

Taken aback by the sudden deficit, Haryana retaliated by earning their first penalty corner in the next minute where Surendra Kumar hit wide and in the 26th minute Naveen Antil hit a weak shot off Sandeep Kumar’s pass that Mumbai goalkeeper Sudhir Dixit blocked and cleared away to safety.

Mumbai, who last won this title in 1989, went into the half time with a crucial lead as they resumed an eventful second half with a degree of confidence. Seven minutes after the lemon break, Mumbai earned their second penalty corner and the ever reliable Gursevak found the net to give his side a comfortable cushion.

But a gallant Haryana ignored the deficit and in the 44th minute Munish Rana reduced the margin in a goalmouth melee. With Haryana’s hopes alive, Rana’s effort set the tone for a high voltage entertainer for the remainder of the match.

Mumbai enhanced their lead when man of match Alden D’Souza fired his second goal after brilliantly trapping Vikram Yadav’s through and beating goalkeeper Ankit Gulia.

Haryana refused to give up and defender Hansraj pushed home with a vengeance in the 56th minute off their second penalty corner, an effort that brought his side back into the match and put Mumbai under immense pressure until they heaved a sigh of relief on hearing the hooter.