Namdhari XI from Ludhiana had it easy in their opening match in the 42nd Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournament, beating Sports Authority of India, Mumbai, 2-0 on the opening day of the tournament, jointly sponsored by Union Bank of India, Punjab & Sind Bank and State Bank of India at the BHA-Mahindra Stadium, on Monday.
The Punjab team scored through Didar Singh (Jr) and Gurcharan Singh from penalty-corners in the second half.
After a barren first half, Namdhari took the lead immediately on resumption when Didar (Jr) found the mark with a firm scoop to the roof of the net following their second penalty-corner in the 37th minute.
They could have increased their lead soon after when Didar (Sr) made a fine move on right and provided a perfect pass for Jasved who was ideally positioned inside the SAI striking circle. The latter, left with the easiest of tasks, however, pushed wide with an open goal in front.
The local side did not lose heart and fought on gamely, but they were simply not able to splinter through the Namdhari defence. They came with a couple of sorties but ran out ideas inside rival territory.
Namdhari scored again through Gurcharan Singh, whose powerful drag-flick from their fifth penalty-corner gave SAI goalkeeper Latwal no chance whatsoever in the 65th minute.
More from rediff