BPCL, Indian Oil to clash in Bombay Gold Cup final

Oil majors Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Mumbai and Indian Oil, Delhi in contrasting fashion won their respective semi-final matches and to setup a clash in the final of the Union Bank of India-52^nd Bombay Gold Cup All India Hockey Tournament played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate on Tuesday afternoon.

BPCL produced another sterling performance to send last year’s runners-up Punjab National Bank (PNB), Delhi crashing to a 5-2 defeat in the first semi-final.

Later in the evening, Indian Oil skipper Raghunath Vokkaliga scored a late decisive winner converting from a penalty corner to clinch a close 4-3 win against defending champions South Central Railway, Secundrabad in an exciting and absorbing second semi-final. Raghunath's teammate Affan Yusuf netted the first three goals, while Raju Pal netted a brace of goals and Ponnacha M.G. got one for the railway outfit.

Md. Amir Khan the spearhead in the BPCL attack hogged the limelight by also recording a fine hat-trick, which helped the oilmen gain the ascendancy and completely dominate the proceedings.

BPCL comprising of a galaxy of current and former Indian stars, including a couple of Olympians and a sprinkling of young budding Indian players, proved too hot for their rivals. The Punjab Bankers who had bagged back-to-back titles, winning the Shastri Hockey and Nehru Hockey tournament last month were unable to stop the marauding BPCL attackers, and in particular Amir Khan from pounding their goal.

The nippy Amir Khan drew first blood scoring the opening goal in the 10^th minute and doubled the lead two minutes later from another field effort. Having tasted success Amir Khan seemed unstoppable as he went on to score the third and complete his hat-trick feat. The Delhi side under tremendous pressure and trailing 0-3 managed to cut the gap with full backs Gagandeep Singh Jr. converting from a penalty corner in the 24^th minute.

But after the break, BPCL’s seasoned player and Olympian Tushar Khandkar increased the lead with a clinical strike in the 47^th minute before Varun Kumar found success from a penalty corner for the fifth goal in the 53^rd minute. PNB fighting a losing battle scored their second goal through Navin in the 62^nd minute.

The grand finale will be played on Wednesday at 4:30 PM.

Results – semi-finals: Bharat Petroleum 5 (Md. Amir Khan 10^th, 12^th, 15^th, Tushar Khandkar 47^th, Varun Kumar 53^rd-PC) beat Punjab National Bank 2 (Gagandeep Singh Jr. 24^th-PC, Navin 62^nd).

Indian Oil, Delhi 4 (Affan Yusuf 24^th, 25^th-PC, 62^nd, Raghunath Vokkaliga 68^th) beat South Central Railway 3 (Poonacha M.G. 34^th, Raju Pal 57^th-PC, 65).