ONGC enter Murugappa semis

CHENNAI: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) became the first team to enter the semifinals of the 86th All-India MCC-Murugappa hockey tournament when they notched up their third consecutive win with a 3-2 decision against Namdhari XI in pool A on Monday.

With nine points from three outings, ONGC confirmed their progress to the knockout stage while Namdhari are virtually out of contention with just one point from three games.

Starring in ONGC’s victory was penalty corner ace Diwakar Ram who came up with two conversions in the 34th and 40th minutes after Bikas Toppo put the team ahead in the 12th.