Air India soar high, again

Defending champions Air India successfully made it two in a row at the 21st Lal Bahadur Shastri hockey tournament, beating arch-rivals ONGC 4-2 in the final on Saturday. Brinder Lakra scored two goals for the winning side, while Len Aiyappa converted a penalty corner and Yuvraj Walkmiki put the game beyond contention.

For ONGC, it was yet another disappointing year, despite Bikas Toppo keeping his side in contention with a goal half way through the second half. By the time Gurwinder Singh scored off his PC, it was too late. V Raghunath from IOC was the top-scorer of the tournament, while ONGC’s Diwakar Ram was adjudged the best player of the tournament.