Pune, 30th June, 2023: In a thrilling display of hockey, GST & Customs and Central Railway, Pune, showcased their dominance by scoring an impressive twenty goals combined, propelling them into the semifinals of the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Hockey Tournament 2023, held at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium in Nehrunagar, Pimpri.
GST & Customs left no room for mercy as they overwhelmed Hockey Lovers Sports Club with an 8-0 victory. Taleb Shaha stole the limelight with a remarkable five-goal performance. Harish Shindgi opened the scoring in the 21st minute, followed by goals from Taleb Shaha (23rd) and Dharambir Yadav (34th) to secure a comfortable 3-0 lead for GST & Customs at halftime.
In the second half, Taleb Shaha continued his goal-scoring spree with four more goals in the 49th, 52nd, 54th, and 58th minutes. Pranav Mane (55th) added to the tally by converting a penalty corner, sealing an emphatic victory for GST & Customs.
Meanwhile, Central Railway, Pune, delivered a devastating performance against Kids XI, scoring a dozen goals without reply. Vineet Kamble emerged as the hero with four goals in the second half. The match began with Central Railway earning a penalty stroke, which was successfully converted by Govind Nag (1st). Tarush Singh (4th, 18th) added a brace, and Aditya Rasal showcased his prowess with a remarkable hat-trick, including two penalty-corner conversions (17th, 29th) and a field goal in the 19th minute. Stephan Swami (26th) contributed a goal, taking the lead to an insurmountable 7-0 at halftime.
In the second half, Ruben Kedari (49th) slammed home a penalty corner, further solidifying Central Railway’s dominant display.
In the semifinals, Income Tax will face Krida Prabodhini, while GST & Customs will go head-to-head with Central Railway, Pune on Saturday.
RESULTS
Quarterfinal 3: GST & Customs, Pune: 8 (Harish Shindgi 21st; Taleb Shaha 23rd, 49th, 52nd, 54th, 58th; Dharambir Yadav 34th; Pranav Mane 55th – p.c) defeated Hockey Lovers Sports Club: 0. Halftime: 2-0
Quarterfinal 4: Central Railways, Pune: 12 (Govind Nag 1st – p.s; Tarush Singh 4th, 18th; Aditya Rasal 17th – p.c, 19th, 29th – p.c; Stephan Swami 26th; Vineet Kamble 41st, 47th, 51st, 54th; Ruben Kedari 49th – p.c) defeated Kids XI: 0. Halftime: 7-0
SATURDAY’S FIXTURES
Income Tax vs Krida Prabodhini – 1.30 pm
GST & Customs vs Central Railway, Pune – 3.00 pm
