ICF came back from a three-goal deficit to register a 5-4 victory over Indian Bank in a CHA Super Six League hockey championship clash on Friday.
ICF dominated the first few minutes but had nothing to show for it owing to poor finishing. The Indian Bank took total control between the 16th and 23rd minute, pumping in three goals. The second arrived via an own goal when Krishna Kumar’s fiery swipe from the left was met with a deflection from the rival defender, and custodian Udayakumar parried the ball into the mesh.
ICF staged a comeback through strikes from Iyappan Sr. and Ashok Kumar in the 26th and 28th minutes.
Heartlin James’s 40th minute second goal saw Indian Bank lead 4-2. But, ICF hit back in the 43rd minute with Dhamu unleashing a backhander. Three minutes later, he scored again to restore parity. Then, in the 66th minute, Ashok Kumar completed his brace to settle the issue for ICF.
The results:
ICF 5 (Ashok Kumar 2, Dhamu 2, Iyappan Sr.) bt Indian Bank 4 (Heartin James 2, Umesh, OG); Southern Railway 7 (Deepak Bejawad 3, S. Manoj 2, M. Pradyumna Varma 2) bt Central Excise 1 (Mervin Joy). — Sports Reporter
