Mumbai Customs beat Mumbai Raje to win Mumba Masters hockey title

The victorious Mumbai Customs team at the Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd Stadium

Veterans hockey got a major boost in the city with the 6-a-side Mumba Masters Hockey Carnival held at the Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd Stadium in Churchgate recently. The eight-team competition was won by Mumbai Customs, who beat Mumbai Raje 10-9 via shootout in a keenly contested final on Sunday, November 5.

The highlight of the final was brothers Juned (Mumbai Customs) and Samir Coutinho (Mumbai Raje), playing in opposition teams, scoring a hat-trick each. After the match was locked 6-6 at the end of full time, and the sudden death score read 9-9, Customs forward Stanley Fernandes, who was also the tournament's organiser, did well to beat Mumbai Raje custodian Vijay Kannan from the spot.

Customs goalkeeper Lincoln Taites then denied Mumbai Raje's Savio Nayak's attempt at goal to ensure victory for his side.

Juned was adjudged Mumba Magician Player of the Carnival, while Raje's Girish Pimpale was named Wizard of the Carnival.

The eight participating teams were Mumbai Customs, Mumbai Raje, Mumbai Port Authority, Coorg Hawks, Savio Hockey, Sunday Sultans, Hockey Dadar and Hockey Navi Mumbai. Mumbai Customs won a cash prize of Rs 50,000 besides a glittering trophy while Mumbai Raje were awarded Rs 30,000. The Challenger's Trophy carrying a cash award of Rs 20,000 was won by Mumbai Port Authority while the Believer's Trophy with a Rs 5,000 cash prize was won by Savio Hockey.

"For the first time, there were so many former India hockey stars of yesteryear in action, so it was great to compete," said Albuquerque. "The idea is to have a second edition of this Mumba Masters Championship and hopefully a third edition in the next six to eight months," said Stanley.