Jain University triumph

Naeemuddins brace stands out as Al-Ameen lose

 Two brilliant second half goals from Mohammad Naeemuddin helped Jain University outclass Al-Ameen PU College 3-1 and claim the Dr Isaac Abraham memorial hockey tournament title for the first time at the St John’s Medical College grounds on Wednesday.  

Al-Ameen had taken the lead through a goal from C Suresh in the 7th minute before Charan brought Jain University level, converting a penalty corner in the 17th minute. Naeemuddin then struck in the 34th and 59th minutes of the 60-minute match to seal the title for his team. 

After a brisk beginning, Naeemuddin and Charan created a couple of good moves for Jain early on but failed to sound the board. Al-Ameen, who struggled in the first five minutes, then sprung a surprise when Suresh slammed home a through pass from Kashinath.

Jain quickly got their act together and a penalty corner in the 17th minute saw Charanflick the ball past Al-Ameen custodian Dilip AM to the top right hand corner of the goal for the equaliser.

Four minutes into the second half, Naeemuddin came to the party with a scintillating run through the left wing, dodging two defenders and goalkeeper Dilip to slot the ball home.  
Jain, semifinalists at last year’s edition, had their tails up and went on the rampage.

Al-Ameen struggled and were playing more defensively to check the onslaught from Naeemuddin, Charan and Shankar Patil. Al-Ameen’s counter-attacks in the last ten minutes were foiled effectively by an alert Jain custodian Subbaiah Shan. With Jain looking menacing going into the dying minutes of the game, the Al-Ameen defence crumbled.

Naeemuddin, toying with the defence, then struck the third goal, darting in from the left after receiving a short pass from Shankar Patil, and dribbling past two defenders before launching a hit past Dilip.