In a match that had all the trappings of a final, the Mumbai outfit staged a remarkable recovery to tie the score but former India junior goalkeeper Edgar Mascarenas failed to live up to his reputations when the shootout took place. In contrast, CRPF custodian Y. Rabindro Singh was able to stop twice during the tie-breaker.

The game did not measure up to the billing at least until the first 25 minutes as the teams merely traded passes and indulged in aimless shots at the rival goals. Even the wingers in both teams failed to bring about a rhythm in their moves and, as a result, the forwards were left to fend for themselves.

Air India, however, gained upperhand with some worthwhile moves. These, in effect, enabled to force three penalty corners in the first session with their forwards intensifying the onslaught. But a slight relaxation on the field helped CRPF mount pressure and off counter-attacks the local team forced two pernalty corners in quick succession. And off the last one, skipper S.K. Vashist made no mistake with his shot.

On resumption, the trend was seen reverted. Air India picked up momentum and within five minutes of the game brought about the equaliser when the prolific Gagan Ajit Singh struck home off a cross from left. But their joy was shortlived as CRPF, stung by the sudden reverse, struck through Topher Kujur to go up once again by the 44th minute.

The Mumbai team earned their fifth penalty corner and this presented a best opportunity for them to find the equalier yet again. This time Rajesh Chauhan sounded the board off an indirect sequence with the Rabindro Singh rooted. The rest of the 20-odd minutes were consumed by the teams without any concerted effort coming from either side.

CLW upset: South Eastern Railway (SER), Calcutta upset defending champions Chittranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) 1-0 in the 59th All India Railway Hockey Championship at Kapurthala, according to reports reaching here.

SER scored through R.Mini and in the dying minutes of the game CLW tried hard to equalise and wasted two penalty corners. In the second match, Western Railway routed Wheel and Axleilant, Bangalore 6-0. Centre-forward Mukhtiar Singh scored four goals including the tournament's first hat-trick.