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Dadabhai Travels secured a thrilling victory in the final of the Bahrain Hockey Association’s National Day 6s at the Al Qadisiya Sports Grounds. With the scores tied at 2-2 against Saudi Hockey at the end of full-time the match entered an additional five minutes of play to decide the winner.
Picking up the ball from the start, veteran winger Avalon Martin collected the ball and swept upfield before being fouled, leading to the award of a short-corner. Under a local rule under which short-corners are accumulated, this being the third awarded meant this was converted into a penalty flick.
Despite loud protests from the visitors, Gareth Mascarenhas emphatically dispatched the ball into the goal. Dadabhai then hung on for the victory and tournament win.
The final was played at a frenetic pace despite it being the end of a long day. Marcelino Fernandes opened the scoring for Dadabhai only for Ali Zaman to equalise with a goal that looked to have suspiciously deflected off his knee.
Undeterred Sarfaraz Choudhary restored Dadabhai’s advantage only to be pegged back once again by Naeem.
Saudi were relying heavily on former Pakistani national player, Shahid, and the technical wizardry of Ali, although they could not find a way past the resolute defence of Anthony and Clifford Correia, who carefully marshalled the area in between the posts.
Both teams secured their place in the final thanks to narrow victories in the semi-final. Saudi dispatched Public Security 2-1 while Dadbhai had to rely on penalty strokes to beat the Hungry Hamours 2-0.
The event was sponsored by Maple Media, Crystal Neon, ONLB Designs and GulfWeekly.
AWARDS – MVP: Adnan Asghar (Public Security)
Best Goalie: Jason D’Souza (Saudi Hockey)
Fair Play : Public Security
