Air India win Bombay
Gold Cup hockey

Air India, Mumbai, retained the Bombay Gold Cup hockey title, beating star-studded Indian Airlines, Delhi, 4-2 via the tie-breaker in the final at the Mahindra stadium in Mumbai on Friday.

The teams were locked 1-1 at full-time and at the end of 15 minutes of extra-time.

The Mumbai side, who trailed by a goal at half-time, did well to equalise through former international Anil Aldrin's penalty-corner conversion in the 51st minute and take the match to the tie-breaker.

Indian Airlines, which had as many as seven former and current internationals in their ranks, drew first blood in the third minute when former India forward Sameer Dad scored off Virender Singh's pass.

After 15 minutes' extra-time failed to break the deadlock, the penalty-strokes' duel was introduced.

In the tie-breaker, Vikram Pillay, Surinder Kundu and Tushar Khandekar were on target for India while defender Tarcius Kullu's feeble push was saved by Airlines goalkeeper Ashish Ballal.

For the losers, only Sameer Dad was able to score. Bimal Lakra and Virender Singh pushed out while Sanjay Bisht's push was well saved by Air India goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza.

In fact, Air India owe their success to Adrian D'Souza, who again saved the day for them. Yesterday, he was brilliant in the semi-final victory over Punjab and Sind Bank; today, besides coming up with some good saves during regular time, he effected three saves in the tie-breaker.

In the 16th minute, D'Souza showed quick reflexes, thwarting Brojen Singh, who hit a rasping drive off a pass from Sameer Dad.

Air India got just one penalty-corner in the first half, which was wasted, while Indian Airlines forced three, which were also abortive.

Air India came back strongly in the second half and restored parity in the 51st minute, Anil Aldrin unleashing a rasping drive off his team's third penalty-corner.

Thereafter, both teams preferred to play safe, and play was confined to midfield. Indian Airlines had a very good chance to wrap up the match in the 56th minute but Virinder Singh's shot was well-saved by D'Souza. Singh was put through by Y S Rawat.

In extra-time, both teams had a penalty-corner each but failed to break the deadlock.

The triumph earned Air India Rs 100,000, while Indian Airlines took home Rs 50,000.

Photographs: JEWELLA C MIRANDA

Earlier reports

Air India, Indian Airlines in final
PSB, Air India enter semi-finals
Tata's, Indian Airlines enter semi-finals
Air India, Punjab and Sind Bank in quarter-finals
Indian Airlines, Tata's storm into last 8