ONGC move to Shastri Semis despite loss to Air India

Two deciders at the Shastri Hockey Tournament today saw the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) go through to the semifinals tomorrow, despite ONGC losing to Air India by four goals to three. Air India opened their account with the usual Len Aiyappa scoring two penalty corners either side of a Gurvinder Chandi field goal for ONGC. The two teams then quickly exchanged goals to go into half-time at 3-2 for Air India. Vivek Gupta equalized for ONGC seven minutes after the interval, but Virender Lakra scored the winning goal with 52 minutes on the clock to see Air India finish top of their group, while ONGC went through to PNB’s expense, despite being tied on point, with a four-score advantage in goal difference.

In the second match of the day, V. Raghunath scored three penalty corners for IOC against Army XI; both teams, needing to win the match to go through to the semi finals, were tied at 3-all until Raghunath’s third score put IOC ahead and Army XI could not equalize before the final whistle.

Tomorrow, Air India take on Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited in the first semifinal at 11 am at Dhyan Chand stadium, while IOC and ONGC face off at 2.30 pm.