In the first half, Maratha Light Infantry controlled the pace of the game with Krishna Patil and Praful Kirketta combining well for them. Krishna, in the early stages of the match, waded through the PCTC defence to create panic. Ganesh Patil and Irfan S were also creating opportunities for the Infantrymen with their accurate passing and dodging. MLI kept testing the PCTC defence from time to time thereby earning three penalty-corners which, however, were wasted.
But, Roshan Bhengra converted the fourth penalty-corner that MLI earned in the 24th minute to give them a 1-0 lead. PCTC went on the counter-attack to strike back with S Kujur and Saran Lakra serious workout to MLI defence but the Infantrymen maintained the lead going into breather.
The second-half saw PCTC come back with a lot more purpose in their approach. They immediately earned a penalty-corner in the 36th minute but MLI’s Palaksha effected a good save. Continuing their attacking mode of play, PCTC earned another penalty-corner in the 47th minute which went wide. MLI kept up the pressure to keep their lead intact and in the process won a penalty-corner in the 55th minute that was well saved by PCTC’s M Chandu.
In a counter attack, PCTC’s S Kujur sliced through the MLI citadel on the right flank catching them off guard. Kujur gave a well-placed cross from the left of the D to captain Ekka who tapped the ball in to make it 1-1.