The 2005 edition of senior Nehru hockey tournament made news for the violent free-for-all between Namdhari XI and Indian Oil (IOC), which resulted in one player being hospitalised and the third-place match between the teams called off. In 2006, the two teams clashed again, this time in the final on field, with IOC walking away winners.
On Wednesday, in a repeat of 2006, IOC will take on Namdhari XI in the title clash of the 46th senior Nehru hockey tournament in another chapter to the keen contest between the two teams. For the Namdharis, it will be a chance to avenge their 2-1 loss in the league stages this year. In the semi-finals on Tuesday, IOC thrashed Army XI 5-1 while Namdharis rallied to defeat Punjab National Bank (PNB) 2-1 after trailing by a goal.
Army XI proved no match for IOC, who had at least eight India players in their ranks. Led by former international Inderjit Singh, the oilmen were in complete control of the game and gave no space to their opponents. The first 15 minutes were spent sizing up the opponents and warming up; the rest were all about IOC’s dominance.
Taking lead through a penalty corner conversion by Didar Singh in the 18th minute, IOC kept ball possession and were content manning the midfield, till Eliazer Ekka’s equalizer in the 30th minute shook them up. IOC came back after the break a changed side.
There were several attempts at the Army goal and the oilmen were finally rewarded when Didar slotted the ball home in the 53rd minute. Thereafter, there was no stopping IOC who made sure the ball hardly crossed into their half. IOC extended the lead through Arjun Antil and Pritinder Singh. Didar scored his third goal of the game through a PC in the 69th minute to round off the tally.
In the other semi-final, Namdhari XI downed a fighting PNB 2-1. Yudhvir Singh put the bankmen ahead in the 7th minute itself but PNB could not do anything after that. Two PCs ¿one in each half ¿ by Harpreet Singh ensured a final spot for Namdharis.