Hockey Maharashtra held their nerves to beat Hockey Karnataka 4-3 and win the first ever Hockey India 5-a-side National Championship (Combined Men & Women) at Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.
The host’s Aishwarya Chavan set the momentum with her third minute goal which was doubled a minute later by local hero Devindar Walmiki’s splendid goal. In the second quarter, Pradhan Somanna of Karnataka reduced the deficit in the 13th minute. But Vikas Pillay’s 14th minute goal put Hockey Maharashtra in a comfortable 3-1 lead. Hockey Maharashtra dropped in pace and minor errors cost them two back-to-back goals by Pradhan Somanna in the 20th and 23rd minute to bring Hockey Karnataka (3-3) on even keel. It was Vikram Yadav’s 30th minute goal that eventually saw the hosts through.
Hockey Maharashtra, however lost in the semi-final of the men’s category to Hockey Karnataka 1-6. Hockey Karnataka played with better structure and goals by Pradhan Somanna (8’), Mohammed Raheel Mouseen (15’, 16’), C.A. Ponnanna (24’), K.R. Bharath (26’) and B. Abharan Sudev (30’) helped them win the match. For the hosts, Tyron Peirera (26’) was the lone scorer.
However, Hockey Maharashtra beat Hockey Punjab 6-5 in the semi-final in the women’s category to set up final with Hockey Haryana who outclaseed Uttar Pradesh Hockey 9-1.
