Evoking the vintage memories, Air India shone throughout the seventy minutes of play in the final to annex the prestigious Obaidullah Cup in Bhopal on Monday.
Veterans Dhanraj Pillay and Samir Dad combined so beautifully that they not only mesmerized the packed stands but also helped the team steamroll Bharat Petroleum.
Air India overwhelmed BPCL 5-0 while with a goal from V. Raghunath and Deepak Thakhur Indian Oil clinched the bronze and with that Rs. 2 lac prize money. Fourth finished PSB also got Rs. 50,000.
But it was a grand boost for Air India — it won Rs. 5 lack prize money — which had a galaxy of contemporary stars such as Arjun Halappa, Gurbaj Singh, Shivendra Singh and Adrian D’Souza, gelled well with Dhanraj and Samir in the front and the goals were coming at regular intervals.
Poor penalty corner drills were made up by the thrustful run downs of Shivender and Gurbaj, the beauty of the match of course was the combination of Samir Dad and Dhanraj Pillay, which evoked the memories of 1998 when the duo excelled on the same turf against Pakistan in a test match.
Bharat Petroleum, which overwhelmed India Oil with a clinical hockey in the semis, was done in by poor defence though ageing Ajay Saroha tried his best, with William Xalxo on the bench with injuries, coach Sabu Varkey was handicapped.
On the other hand, the form of Adrian D’souza, the Air India goalie, too came in the way of the oil team scoring. Lest, a couple of good shots by Amar Aiyamma and a stinching top of the circle by Tushar worth goals.
Chief Minister of the state Shivraj Singh Chauhan witnessed the whole match, and gave away the booty prizes and the Cup.