RCF beat FCI to win hockey cup

The Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, won the first All-India Senior Men’s Hockey Tournament for Gold Cup by recording a 5-3 win over the Food Corporation of India (FCI), New Delhi, at the Olympian Balbir Singh Hockey Stadium.

Like previous matches, the RCF lads gained an early lead with Ujwal Singh, scoring through a field goal in the 9th minute. However, the FCI came back in the match as skipper Paramvir Singh converted a penalty corner in the 19th minute. While both teams played at the same pace, the RCF jumped into lead again as Yogender Rawat scored through a pertly corner in the 26th minute. But the FCI strikers again managed to cancel the lead as Nunish Rana scored a field goal in the 32nd minute.

In the third quarter, RCF lads completely dominated the turf and scored three goals with the help of Lovepreet Singh (35th), Atuldeep (39th) and Rawat (43rd) to extend their lead to 5-2. The FCI lads tried their best to return back in the match, but managed only one goal in the 59th minute. Skipper Paramvir converted the last penalty corner for the side to reduce the margin to 3-5 as the RCF lifted the opening edition of the tournament.

Lovepreet Singh was named player of the match, while Robin Singh lifted the best scorer title. Paramvir Singh won the best defender award, Vikramjit Singh promising player of the tournament and Amritpal Singh won the best goalkeeper award.