CRPF thrashes Gujarat

By Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI, NOV. 30. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is emerging as a potent force on the Indian hockey scene. The Jalandhar-based unit gave another demonstration of fitness and flair while trouncing a youthful Gujarat 5-0 in a Pool D match of the 60th National hockey championship at the Mahindra Stadium here on Thursday.

V. Hembrum struck twice while Jolen Topno, Perbhat Saini and Mukesh Kumar got a goal each as CRPF played true to reputation when notching its second victory in three matches, setting the stage for a thriller when it takes on host Mumbai in the concluding pool match on Sunday.

CRPF, playing a fast, flowing game marked by swift counter- attacks, forged ahead in the eighth minute. Jolen Topno took advantage of the no-offside rule to get into position for a Hembrum pass, trapped the ball confidently on the top of the `D' moved a few steps ahead before bulging the net with a shoulder- high swipe.

Four minutes later, CRPF struck again this time through a fine individual effort from Perbhat Saini who wove his way through the Gujarat defence before beating goalkeeper Dharmesh Patel with a reverse hit. Stung by these two early reverse, the Gujarat defence was in for further trouble in the 22nd minute when Hembrum and Mukesh Kumar broke through with a bout of wall passes ending with the former getting the third goal of the match, his first.

Gujarat, whose forays down the left flank yielded little against a compact CRPF defensive wall, conceded two more goals in the second session. A Saini-Topno move saw Hembrum, stationed at the right post, deflecting the ball in for the fourth. Topno set up the fifth and last goal of the match in his own delightful way, setting off on a wavy run and then retreating when hustled by a persistent defender, but not before slipping a pass for Mukesh Kumar to sound the boards.

Even after letting in five goals and with his defence prised open at will by the superior CRPF forwards, Gujarat goalkeeper Patel did not give up the fight, thwarting atleast three goalworthy attempts, including two blocks off penalty corners.

Friday's matches: Mumbai vs Tatas (8.00 am); Indian Oil vs Maharashtra (10.00 am).

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Section  : Sport
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