Central gave a dazzling performance in the first-half. They scored twice during this period and it looked as though they would run roughshod over their opponents in the second session.

Besides these awards, the SAI forwards tested Central goalkeeper Arun Gurung thrice. But on all three occasions the ever agile Gurung frustrated their efforts.

Central were held to a draw in their opening encounter by Maharashtra State Police. They left nothing to chance today and set about their task in right earnest. They were rewarded with a goal in the 15th minute when Rishi Patel, who bristled on the right flank, scored with a shot from the top of the box.

The railwaymen then consolidated their position with another good field goal by their hardworking inside-right Hasrat Qureshi before the change of ends.

In the second-half, Central did the mistake of chosing to defend their lead and as a result they were pinned to own half right through the second-half. It was only towards the end, that the Central attack clicked and they then heaved a sigh when Amrik Singh made it 3-0 after inside-left Jamsher Khan and left-winger Arif Baig had done the spadework, five minutes from the close.