Pune, 1st July 2023: The final match of the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Hockey Tournament 2023 will witness a thrilling clash between Krida Prabodhini and GST & Customs, Pune at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium in Nehrunagar, Pimpri on Sunday.
Despite the rain-soaked turf, the semifinals of the tournament proved to be intense and captivating.
The highlight of the day came in the second semifinal when GST & Customs, Pune made a remarkable comeback to secure a 5-4 win over Central Railway in a thrilling shootout. GST & Customs rallied from a two-goal deficit to level the score at 3-3 in regulation time.
Central Railway took the lead in the 5th minute with Govind Nag’s successful penalty-corner conversion. However, GST & Customs’ captain, Aniket Gurav, equalized in the 16th minute.
Central Railway extended their lead with two quick goals from Nag (25th) and Aditya Rasal (28th), making it 3-1 at halftime.
The second half belonged to GST & Customs as they fought back strongly. Dharambir Yadav scored two goals, one from a penalty-corner in the 34th minute and another in the 46th minute, bringing the score to 3-3.
In the shootout, GST & Customs maintained a clean record with successful attempts from Taleb Shaha, Dharambir Yadav, Aniket Gurav, Kunal Dhamal, and Harish Shingdi. Central Railway’s Aditya Rasal failed to convert the team’s first attempt, which proved to be the decider. Despite goals from Veenet Kamble, Govind Nag, Stephen Swami, and Ganesh Patil, Central Railway fell short.
In the other semifinal, Krida Prabodhini secured their spot in the final with a 1-0 victory over Income-Tax, Pune through a penalty-corner conversion. Sagar Shingade scored the crucial goal in the 22nd minute, beating Income Tax goalkeeper Atharva Kamble.
Both teams made several attempts on goal but failed to change the scoreline.
RESULTS
Semifinal 1: Krida Prabodhini 1 (Sagar Shingade 22nd – p.c) beat Income-Tax, Pune 0. Halftime: 1-0.
Semifinal 2: GST & Customs, Pune 3 (5) (Aniket Gurav 16th; Dharambir Yadav 34th – p.c, 46th; Taleb Shaha; Dharambir Yadav; Aniket Gurav; Kunal Dhamal; Harish Shingdi) beat Central Railways, Pune 3 (4) (Govind Nag 5th – p.c, 25th – p.c; Aditya Rasal – 28th; Veenet Kamble; Govind Nag; Stephen Swami; Ganesh Patil). Halftime: 1-3.
FIXTURES FOR SUNDAY
Third Place: Income Tax, Pune vs. Central Railway, Pune – 3.00pm
Final: Krida Prabodhini vs. GST & Customs, Pune – 4.30pm
