JOIN USA superb second-half performance from All India Customs saw them overpower Fortis Sports 5-2 in their Bengaluru Super Division Hockey League Pool B tie at the Hockey Stadium here on Friday.
Although Customs started the game brightly, Fortis also made their presence felt in the opening half.
Hassan Basha put Customs ahead with a field goal in the 10th minute but Yuvraj Walmiki brought Fortis on level terms with an sublime solo effort in the 29th minute.
The teams broke for half-time 1-1.
Customs came out a different side after the break and reclaimed the lead through Darshan, who scored from a penalty corner in the 43rd minute.
Down 1-2, Fortis rallied and earned themselves a penalty corner in the 48th minute, which was converted by Parveen Kumar after a well-worked move by his team-mates.
Given a wake-up call, Customs regained the advantage a minute later through Nilesh Kongetira, who brilliantly controlled a cross a from Biddappa Karinervanda before slotting it into the net.
The day turned worse for Fortis in the 52nd minute after Biddappa was brought down inside the semi-circle, leaving referee with no choice but to award a penalty stroke to Customs. Darshan stepped in and calmly put the ball into the bottom right corner of the net past a helpless Fortis custodian Sambram Honnapanda.
Customs added to Fortis’ woes in the 63rd minute when Bidappa placed the ball into the roof of the net after collecting a timely pass from Jayesh.
Fortis pressed desperately for goals late in the game but the Customs’ defence stayed firm and kept them from scoring.
Results: All India Customs: 5 (Hassan Basha 10th, Darshan 43rd, 52nd, Nilesh Kongetira 49th, Biddappa Karinervanda 63rd) bt Fortis Sports: 2 (Yuvraj Walmiki 29th, Parveen Kumar 48th).
Fixtures: On Saturday: Mahaveer Jain Sports Academy vs Army XI Green (1.15 pm); Indian Air Force vs ONGC (2.45 pm); All India Customs vs Sports Authority of India (4.15 pm).