Hockey: Team Coorg Muscat lifts Independence Day Cup

MUSCAT: Former hockey champions Team Coorg Muscat upset the local favourites UTSC Muscat 3-2 in a thrilling final to lift the 72nd Independence Day of India Cup which was held at the Al Seeb astro turf stadium.
The tournament organised by the Friends of Naqvi Group and Team Coorg Oman in association with Embassy of India and Oman Hockey Association, under the auspices of Chief Guest Dr. Marwan Al Juma, President, Ahli Sidab Sports Club along with Guest of Honour Yousuf Abdullah Al Wahaibi, vice-president, Seeb Club, Dr. Satish Nambiar, chairman, Indian Social Club and Hockey legend veteran S.A.S. Naqvi.
The colourful event saw all four teams namely UTSC Muscat, Team Coorg Muscat, Team Coorg UAE and Sharjah Road Masters clashing with each other in the preliminary round with the top two teams Team Coorg Muscat and UTSC had playing out the final which went into a penalty shootout after the two teams were locked 1-1 at full time.
During the second half of the game UTSC Muscat went on the rampage and converted a perfect goal and it looked like they were on their way to clinch the trophy when Team Coorg Muscat who struggled for an equalizer, saw unexpected lighting move from their star duo Moni-Nani with the former netting an equaliser at the crucial moment. However, with the equalizer came the penalty shootout in which Team Coorg Muscat kept their cool and converted three out of the five goals while, UTSC Muscat managed only two at the end of the game with the score line reading 3-2 in favour of Team Coorg Muscat who finally laid their hands on the trophy.
Team Coorg Oman and Friends of Naqvi Group thanked the Chairman of Seeb Club His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said for his great vision, the management and staff of Seeb Club for their support, teams, and the huge gathering that came to witness the wonderful event.
Team Coorg Muscat thanked S.A.S. Naqvi, former technical advisor of Oman Olympic Committee Oman Hockey Association, the sponsors FAP (construction chemicals), Masafi Water and individual sponsors Osama Rawat, Chennappanda Somaiah, Tirta Prasad for their contribution.
During the prize distribution ceremony Team Coorg Muscat honoured S.A.S. Naqvi and Osama Rawat.