Army-XI & Indian Oil entered the Semi finals of 30th Indian Oil Surjit Hockey Team

Jalandhar, October 14 : Army-XI and last year’s champion  IndianOil, Mumbai entered the semi-finals of the 30^th IndianOil Surjit Hockey Tournament, in progress here at local olympian Surjit hockey stadium, burlton park here today.

Today, Army-XI, Delhi and the last years’ Chmapion IndianOil, Mumbai topped their respective pool with 6 points each in their credit to enter the semi finals from their two matches.

Army-XI, Delhi defated Mumbai-XI by 5-2 in pool-‘C’ while IndianOil Mumbai beat Indian Air Force, Delhi by 5-2 in pool-‘A’.

In the first match of the day, armymen took the lead in the 7 minute of the game when their inside right Milan Muthappa scored a fine field goal with a solo effort (1-0). It was Milan Muthappa of army again in the very next minute of the game scored another field goal to incraese the lead (2-0). In the 26^th minute of the game, Armymen got their first panality corner. Inside right Vishva Thakur made no mistake to sound the borad (3-0). After trailing by 3 goals, Mumbai lads made some good moves and earned a panality corner. Centre half Narad Bahadur indirectrly converted the ball in to goal to reduce the margin (1-3). After reducing the lead margin, Mumbai boys continued their attacks from the right flanks and got another panality corner in the 34^thminite of the game. This time again Narad Bahadur converted the panality corner into goal.(2-3). After lemon break, armymen added two more goals in their crediot through out side left Binoy in the 43 and 57 minute of the game.

         The match between IndianOil, Mumbai and Indian Air Force Delhi in poll-A was a do-or-die affair as both were having 3 poitns each in their credits. Both teams exhibited good hockey who ever it oilmen which took the lead in the 16^th minute through Sunil Yadav who converted their first panality corner into goal to ahead his team (1-0), Airmen made some good attackes in the rival’s terirory but their deep defenders did not allowed them to enter into their stricking circle. Oilmen missed two panality corners in the 20 & 22 minute of the game but they got success in the 25^th minute of the game when Sunil Yadav agains sounded the board off a panlity corner.(2-0). After trailing, airmen munted presuure on the oilmen and missed three sure chances of goal including one panality corner. In a counter attack in the 29^thminute of the game, but the rival cistodian Maan made excellent goal saving. Oilmen again started their attack from the right flank and again increased the lead in the 34^th minute of the game when olympian Deepak Thakur scored a field goal. At breather, IndianOil was leading by 3-0.

After lemon Break in the 49^th minute of the play Indian Air Force earned the first penalty corner, their Devendra Chandra converted it to reduce the margin (1-3).  In the 57^th minute of the play Olympian Deepak Thakur scored field goal for Indian Oil (4-1). In 67^th minute Deepak Thakur struck once again (5-1). In the last minute Indian Air Force’s Verendra scored from penalty corner (2-5).