Easy win for BPCL

Dotted with a slew of former India stars and current hopefuls, Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) completed a comprehensive 3-0 win against Indian Navy in their knock-out preliminary match of the 47th Nehru hockey tournament on Tuesday. With this, they have moved within one match of booking a spot in the quarterfinal league.

BPCL were expected to have it easy against the Navymen and appeared more keen on scoring through short corners. They earned their first PC in the 5th minute but it went waste. With Sabu Varkey marshalling the midfield and creating gaps upfront, BPCL went ahead through Sher Singh, who converted their second penalty corner in the 14th minute.

Six minutes later, Aiyamma sounded the board to double the lead. But after that period of about 10 minutes, the Navymen closed ranks and went on defensive, content keeping the ball in possession and denying BPCL.

Goalkeeper Kalu Ram was impressive, keeping the BPCL strikers at bay and ringing off some good saves. But his defences were finally broken in the 59th minute with Jarnail Singh finally rounding off the score with a direct hit into the net.

Rourkela, Jalandhar in final

Favourites Birsa Munda Vidyapitha, Rourkela booked a spot in the final of the Nehru junior hockey tournament, getting past Bright Scholar Sr. Sec. School, Sonepat 3-1 in the semi-final on Tuesday.

They will take on Lyallpur Khalsa Sr. Sec. School, Jalandhar in a repeat of 2008 title clash. Birsa Munda finished runners-up back then and will clearly be looking to avenge their defeat.

Lyallpur Khalsa also won by an identical 3-1 margin against former champions Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Jalandhar.