Air India, Indian Oil in semis
Indian Oil and Air India sailed into the semi-finals in contrasting fashion, in the 47th Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament at the MHA-Mahindra Stadium on Sunday.
In a crucial Group B tie, Karnataka XI, for whom a win was mandatory, held Air India to a 2-2 draw, a verdict that booked the latter’s place in the last four following a better goal average, after the airmen swamped Panposh XI 4-0 in their opening match.
In Group C, Guru Tegh Bahadur runners-up Indian Oil beat former champions Border Security Force 3-2, after leading 2-0 at half time.
While Karnataka XI took time to settle down, Air India, winners in 2001 and 2002, got off to an aggressive start to initiate a fast-paced encounter between quality teams.
By the ninth minute, they tested Karnataka goalkeeper Tharun on three occasions. The custodian blocked two of the many gallant saves he was to make later in the match, while international Sandeep Michael, who made the first try in the third minute, failed to connect after combining with Vikas Pillay in the circle.
Karnataka put behind the early threats and made a determined effort to get back into the match. They combined well and made delightful moves that earned them two back-to-back chances that would have given them the lead.
But Muddappa’s effort was blocked by Air India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh in the 25th minute, while Nithin Thimmaiah shot wide with a beaten defence and a vacant goal at his mercy, after captain Anup Anthony fumbled in front of the goal.
Air India, though, stunned their opponents with a sudden move in the 32nd minute that fetched them a 1-0 lead at half time through Joga Singh’s top-of-circle shot that darted through the goalkeeper’s pads.
Karnataka made an impressive impact in an eventful second half that saw M.B. Aiyappa’s firm push being saved by the goalkeeper off a 44th minute set-piece.
That blemish almost proved costly as Air India came close to scoring off back-to-back opportunities through Kulbhushan, who deflected a cross over in the 48th minute, while Lazarus Barla’s powerful hit off a penalty corner was blocked by custodian Tharun in the next minute.
Air India paid the price for squandering those chances and Karnataka equalised in the 50th minute through Muddappa after Anthony brilliantly dribbled into the circle.
Stung by the equaliser, Air India shot into the lead in the 58th minute when former international Sameer Dad slammed home a Dhanraj Pillay pass.
Just when Air India seemed set to put the issue beyond doubt, without the need for calculations, Karnataka, who refused to give up, earned back-to-back penalty corners in the 70th minute.
They missed the first attempt, but Aiyappa scooped home past a confused Air India defence to fetch the equaliser off the last attempt.
In the semi-finals, Indian Oil will take on defending champions Army XI, while Air India will face 2004 winners Punjab & Sind Bank.
Monday is a rest day and the competition will resume with the semi-finals on Tuesday. The final will be played on Wednesday.
Results: Group B: Air India 2 (Joga Singh, Sameer Dad) drew Karnataka XI 2 (M.K. Muddappa, M.B. Aiyappa).
Group C: Indian Oil 3 (Didar Singh, Inderjit Singh, Bikramjit Singh) bt BSF 2 (Sharnjit Singh 2).