Prabhakar Aspat Academy clinch title

Pune: Prabhakar Aspat Academy won their maiden trophy of the year downing Rovers Academy via the ‘shoot out’ in a cracker of a final in the inaugural Mar Osthathios Invitational Hockey Championship 2019 at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri, here on Saturday.

After sharing six goals (3-3) at the end of the regulation time, which included a last-second goal by Gufran Shaikh (60th) off an indirect penalty corner for Rovers Academy, the ensuing ‘shoot out’ decided the match at 7-6.

Prabhakar Aspat Academy were off the blocks with a quick goal by Mohammed Sadiq (2nd), but at the other end conceded a goal when Rovers Academy had Rahul Rasala (3rd) capatalise on a rebound off goalkeeper Sujin Jarupula and some slipshod defending and net off the first penalty corner forced by Rovers (1-1).

The game thereafter was Prabhakar Aspat Academy who used their pace to advantage, attacked relentlessly only to have Rovers Academy fall back in maximum and defend. 

Rovers Academy, in the circumstances, played the waiting game and only weaved sporadic attacks.
At half time the score was even stevens (1-1).

On the change-over, Rovers Academy dared their rivals but at the other end conceded when Dilip Palm (32nd) scored and then Mohammed Sadiq (44th) sounded the board to go up 3-1 and stamp their authority in the third quarter.

Rovers Academy fought their way in the last quarter and made most of the half chances - penalty corners, that came their way. 

However, a host of misses from close only frustrated their challenge.

While field goals eluded them, Rovers Academy had Pranav Mane (55th minute) and then at death Gufran find they way back into the game off indirect penalty corners.
  
In fact, the equaliser was netted and the hooter went off no sooner the game resumed.

In the ‘shoot-out’ Dilip Pal, Prithvi Salunke, Mohammed Sadiq, Arvind Yadav scored for the Prabhakar Aspat Academy boys, while Prathush Tiwari did not score.

Rovers Academy had Karan Durga, Tushar Durga, Gufran Shaikh score their attempts while Pranav Mane missed his team’s second and Altaf Sayyed failed in his team’s fifth.

Later the prizes were given away by John Mathai, Vicar St. Gregorious Orthodox Church, Dehu Road along with V.C Pant Assistant Commandant CRPF in the presence of Joseph Sebastian, Proprietor Kerala Jewellers, Smita Kshirsagar, Prinicipal Blue Ridge School and organisers Biju and Shirley George.