In a do-or-die match for a berth in the semifinals, BPCL players kept their cool and combined admirably to oust defending champions Air India 3-1 in a final league round match of the 88th All India MCC–Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, at Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium here on Thursday.

BPCL take on IOC in the last-four stage on Saturday. PNB meet IOB in the other semifinal.

The ever alert Pundalik Bellary (5, 50) struck twice for BPCL. His ball possession skills and agility helped him raid the opposition den with success. Gurupreet scored (46) the other goal.

In contrast, the Air India team succumbed to pressure without a fight. The single point they got too was by default (own goal). In other words, they were simply outsmarted by BPCL in all the departments.

Air India’s Vikas Pillay and Joga Singh managed to get near the rivals’ den at times with a solo run but were often seen stranded as there were none to receive the ball in order to have a shot at the post. This was due to poor marking and backup.

Results: Pool A: CAG 5 (Navneet Swarnkar (17), Nithin Timmaiah (34), MD Naeemuddin (40, 55), SS Bundelha (68) bt South Central Railway 2 (Mayank James (31), Dhamu 67).

Pool B: BPCL 3 (Pundalik Bellary (5, 50), Gurupreet Singh (46) bt Air India 1 (OG 61).