Kids XI, Central Railway Pune in contrasting wins

Pune, 28 June, 2023: Kids XI staged a brilliant comeback, while Central Railway, Pune recorded a one-sided win to make the next round of the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Hockey Tournament 2023, at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar, Pimpri on Wednesday.

The day began with Kids XI turning tables on Poona Hockey Lovers 3-1 via the shootout after being locked 2-2 at the end of full time. Later in the day Central Railways, Pune riding on a three-goal effort by Aditya Rasal (20th, 50th, 52nd) hammered Pune City Police 8-0.

Kids XI began their encounter finding themselves 0-1 in arrears at the halfway stage when Ashfaq Shaikh (8th) helped Poona Hockey Academy gain the lead.

Changing ends, Kids XI made it 1-1 through Abhishek Aspat (48th). The last minute had a scramble in scoring with both teams netting a goal each in a span of a minute. First, Kids XI had Shubham Thakur (58th) convert a penalty corner to make it 2-1, while at the other end Poona Hockey Academy on resumption had Manoj Pillay (59th) level scores 2-2 to force the match into the shoot-out.

In the ensuing shootout, Kids Xi had Sanket Hire, Swapnil Dhere, Shubham Thakur gain success, while Poona Hockey Academy could only score through Sanket Patole’s conversion to end the match.

Kids XI had Rihan Shaikh, Abhishek Aspat squander their attempts, likewise for Poona Hockey Academy Vansh Pardeshi, Hussain Shaikh, Rohan Rapol failed with their respective attempts.

Later in the day, Central Railway, Pune had Stephan Swami (4th, 22nd) net a double, and a penalty-corner conversion by Govind Nag (17th) open a 3-0 advantage.

In the second-half Aditya Rasal (20th, 50th, 52nd) took charge and was assisted by a double-strike by Vineet Kamble (31st, 44th) to complete what is the biggest win of the tournament so far.

RESULTS

Kids XI: 2 (3) (Abhishek Aspat 48th; Shubham Thakur 58^th – p.c; Sanket Hire, Swapnil Dhere, Shubham Thakur) bt Poona Hockey Academy: 2 (1) (Ashfaq Shaikh 8^th, Manoj Pillay 59^th; Sanket Patole). HT: 0-1.  

Central Railway, Pune: 8 (Stephan Swami 4^th, 22^th; Govind Nag 17^th – p.c; Aditya Rasal 20^th, 50^th, 52^nd; Vineet Kamble 31^st, 44^th) bt Pune City Police: 0. HT: 3-0

THURSDAY’S FIXTURES

Poona Hockey Academy v PCMC Academy  – 1.30pm; Railway Line Boys v Krida Prabodhini – 3.30pm