Chennai: A fierce contest is visualized when Air India takes on Indian Oil in the Sunday’s final of the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup tournament here. A large gathering witnessed some engrossing hockey in the semifinals, in which Air India prevailed over the local league champion, Indian Overseas Bank (3-0), while IOC obliterated whatever challenge the former champion Army XI could offer. IOC won 4-2.

Action aplenty

There was plenty of action and drama as IOB put up a determined fight against Air India squad. No one symbolized the mood of defiance to the Air India attack, fluent and forceful as it was, than goalkeeper Sreejesh. The junior custodian was a picture of confidence even as he effected save after save to frustrate the rivals.

That Air India had to wait almost beyond the middle of first half despite enjoying complete control in the rival zone. The tricky movements of Bruno Lugan, Arjun Halappa and Cheeyyanna could hardly disturb Sreejesh’s tranquillity.

Veteran Vikram Pillay was supported by the equally experienced Vinay and Gurbaj injecting an element of verve into the frontline sallies and the pressure on the IOB defence enhanced significantly.

Just before halftime Air India went into the lead through a superb effort by Cheeyanna.

Balanced defence

IOB relied on the form of Adam Sinclair, but the ebullient front-liner was well marked. The support from Rayar and Senthil was inadequate to take on the balanced Air India defence where Dilip Tirkey was the anchor.

However, IOB did make valiant efforts to slot a goal but frittered away a few good chances. It was indisputable that the man for IOB on Saturday was goal-keeper Sreejesh, notwithstanding the result. In the final minute, he succumbed beaten by Halappa.

Minus the moments when the goals surfaced, there was precious little to write in glowing terms about the earlier semifinal.

The exchanges were confined to the mid-field with the forwards struggling to come to terms at least in the major part of the first half. And this was exemplified by the lead that Army XI obtained from the Eliazer Lakra from a penalty corner. The lead survived till the end of the first half.

Filament of vigour

There was a filament of vigour in the IOC’s attack in the early part of the second, thanks to the enterprise of the skipper, Deepak Thakur.

Raghunath, not in his best of form in this year’s competition, electrified the atmosphere with an impeccable flick to level after resumption.

The Army team retaliated with a splendid goal by Ignace Tirkey off a cross pass from Sunil. IOC fought back, and Bharath Chikkara restored parity giving the finishing touches to the combined workout by Rajpal Singh and Deepak Thakur. Then came the peach of the goal of the match — a brilliant backhander by Deepak Thakur.

However, IOC had to endure some anxious escapes in the final minutes before Roshan Minz enlarged the margin almost synchronising with the hooter.

DD (Sports) will telecast the final between IOC and Air India live on Sunday from 6.30 p.m.

The results (semifinals): IOC 4 (Raghunath, Bharath Chikara, Deepak Thakur, Roshan Minz) bt Army XI 2 (Eliazer Lakra, Ignace Tirkey).

Air India 3 (Arjun Halappa 2, Cheeyanna) bt Indian Overseas Bank 0.

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COURTESY: THE HINDU