Punjab defeats Mumbai to clinch U-17 Boys' Junior Hockey Championship: Hockey Recap
Davinder Kumar and Ramandeep Singh both scored one goal each, including a game-winner by Ramandeep, as Punjab defeated Mumbai by a single goal, 2-1 to win U-17 Boys' Junior National Hockey Championship on June 08, 2011 at the MHA-Mahindra Hockey Stadium in Mumbai.
Both teams were played aggressively and carried out back-to-back strikes against each other in the opening period. However, the defensemen from Mumbai and Punjab were full of zeal on the field.
It was Mumbai who established their first dominance in the game by starting a more offensive game and obtaining a number of short-corners in the early minutes of the first half.
Mumbai’s Ganendrajit Ranjit took the ball into the defensive circle of Punjab and unleashed a powerful shot. However, it was denied from the opposite's side. During the mid-way of the first half, Rajat Sharma got the ball on many occasions and stormed the defence-line of Punjab. At last, the consistent flow of attacks finally opened the scoreboard, when Ranjit flicked the ball into the net off Sharma’s pass to take the lead to 1-0.
It seemed that the opening goal was an awakening call for Punjab team who started more offensive game. In a changed strategy, the Punjab strikers started using flanks for passes. A few minutes before the end of the first half, Mumbai's goal-keeper, Karan Thakur, took off from the guarding position to block the shot as he saw Davinder Singh dashing through the defence-line. He then sent a low-flying shot at the back of the net, levelling the score at 1-1.
Both the teams commenced more aggressive style of play after they locked horns at one-all. In an attempt to regain the lead, the strikers from Mumbai continued back-to-back attacks against Punjab. Out of nowhere, Ranjit , as he dribbled through the defenders, sent the ball into the net. However, the referee rejected the goal claiming that the ball was scooped above the relegation level. The first half of play ended with both squads tied at 1-1.
Mumbai and Punjab opened the second half in an aggressive way in search of a go-ahead goal. However, Karan Kumar of Punjab dribbled a couple of defenders to enter the defensive circle of Mumbai. He sent a classic pass to Ramandeep Singh, who was standing alone near the cage. The Mumbai goalie though came forward to stop the ball, but a direct hit from Ramandeep comfortably moved into a goal.
In the remaining time-period, both the squads played cautiously. However, the Punjab defender did not allow Mumbai attackers to take the lead. Punjab won the game by a solitary goal, 2-1.
Gurjant Singh was honoured with the ‘Best Player of the Tournament’ award and Harmanpreet Singh was named Best Player of the final game. Basavaraj was the highest goal-scorer of the event, while Karan Thakur was selected as the Best goalie.
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