Hockey Correspondent

Chennai: The focus in the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament on Monday shifted to figuring out the four teams that will move into the semifinals.

At the end of the day the emerging picture on this score had various possibilities. The certainty though was the elimination of the defending champion, Air India, and a confirmed berth for Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in Pool A.

BPCL decimated what little hope Air India had of surviving with the inspiration provided by Dhanraj Pillay. The 3-0 result for BPCL was a convincing performance.

BPCL displayed the edge in every department what with the frontline forking fluent sallies thanks to the eye-catching wing play by Hari Prasad and the striking competence of Amar Aiyamma.

Consistent work

Mention must also be made of the consistent work by Prabhdeep Singh in the mid-field with support from Sher Singh who hoisted the lead making the most of a penalty corner scrimmage late in the first half.

Crossing over, BPCL maintained steady pressure at the rival end and enhanced the lead when Amar Aiyamma provided a brilliant finish to a cross from Hari Prasad. The third goal, from Birendra Lakra, came in the final minute.

Air India laboured in vain to come up with a combined move or two. Dhanraj played his heart out, probing the defence repeatedly.

Late in the match, he dribbled beautifully only to see the ball missing the target by inches. Earlier, Vikas Pillay made a valiant attempt to score but failed to find the target.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) registered a comfortable 3-1 verdict against the local challenger, Indian Overseas Bank. Indian Oil Corporation was a step away from the semifinal spot, with Army XI and Indian Railways in hot pursuit. IOC’s tie on Tuesday against Railways will decide the issue.

For all the confidence and optimism generated, IOB failed to meet the expectations. A solitary point in three matches pushes it out of the event with a match remaining against BPCL.

Sluggish defence

In the combat with the ONGC, the IOB players were sluggish in defence. With Mandeep showing a good turn of speed on the right flank, the ONGC attack held the whip hand. Small wonder then, the lead surfaced in the early minutes when Mandeep’s cross was tucked in neatly by Pramod.

Then it was all Diwakar Ram. A penalty corner hit enlarged the lead and an obstruction inside the circle ended with a stroke slotted in by Diwakar. The teams crossed over with a 3-0 lead for ONGC.

IOB palpably struggled to get a move or two across and even the usually ebullient Adam Sinclair looked phlegmatic. He fumbled even in the early minutes in front of the ONGC goal. Vinod Rayar worked hard at the right wing but his work proved futile.

However, IOB had the consolation of netting a goal which came from a stroke converted by Senthil midway in the second half.

Easy outing

It turned out to be a more than easy outing for Indian Oil Corporation in its march to the semifinals with nine points. Punjab National Bank was no match to the more prominent outfit.

Didar Singh slotted in a penalty corner in the early minutes to put IOC on course to victory. Before the end of the first half, Hamza Mujtaba increased the lead.

After the break, Deepak Thakur slammed in the third but PNB struck to reduce the margin through Damandeep Singh. By the time the final hooter came, Arjun Antil netted the fourth goal.

The results: IOC 4 (Didar Singh, Hamza Muijtaba, Deepak Thakur, Arjun Antil) beat Punjab National Bank 1 (Damandeep Singh).

ONGC 3 (Pramod, Diwakar Ram 2) beat IOB 1 (Senthil).

BPCL 3 (Sher Singh, Amar Aiyamma, Birendra Lakra) beat Air India 0.

Tuesday’s matches: Mumbai v PNB; IOC v Indian Railways.