Mumbai XI go down to Tmail Nadu

Mumbai XI go down to Tmail Nadu

Chennai, July 9: Mumbai XI went down to Tamil Nadu 0-2, while Punjab and Sind Bank won 3-2 against Indian Hockey Federation (Juniors) XI in the 78th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup invitation hockey tournament here on Saturday.

A much fitter and superior team, the hosts were too good in attack and defence against Mumbai XI. In fact, they scored in the first minute, but the goal was disallowed by international umpire from Karnataka, Palangappa. Though Mumbai players never protested, the spectators doubted the decision.

Tamil Nadu forwards L Prabhakar, Cedric D'Crus and substitute S Karthik combined well in attack, but drew first blood only after Karthik was brought in for Vinoth Kumar.

In the 29th minute, Prabhakar came up with a peach of a goal when he dived forward to connect Cedric's deflection off Karthik's long pass from the left.

Mumbai shone in patches, but rarely cut past the rival defence. When they did, Tamil Nadu goalkeeper Natarajan was alert enough to thwart their attempts.

After Tamil Nadu made it 2-0 in the 12th minute of the second half through Karthik, Mumbai forwards tested Natarajan four times. Naratajan offerred his pads on three occasions and was beaten by a Mukthiar Singh shot, but defender Satish kumar made a goalline save.