ONGC beat Punjab National Bank in Nehru hockey final

NEW DELHI: Tournament sponsors Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) won their maiden Nehru Cup hockey title Friday, beating Punjab National Bank (PNB XI) at the National Stadium.

Bikas Toppo scored the winner in the 25th minute.

PNB XI earned four penalty corners, all in the second half, but failed to strike.

Gurwinder Singh Chandi, who was a livewire on the field in the semifinal against Bharat Petroleum and struck a hat-trick Thursday, was struggling with a thigh injury and that forced ONGC to go into the defensive in the second half.

“We are happy to lift the title. We worked hard in the second half as couple of players were not at their best,” said ONGC coach Rajdeep Singh.

ONGC took home a cheque of Rs 250,000 while the runners up got half the amount.

In the third place match, Air India defeated Bharat Petroleum 2-0.

Birender Lakra (24th minute) and S Vinay (28th min) were the scorers.