Army XI to meet IOC in final of Murugappa Hockey

Chennai: Former champions Army XI will meet Indian Oil Corporation (Mumbai) in the final of the glittering 89th Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament here on Sunday.

Star studded IOC got the better of Punjab & Sind Bank 2-1, while Army thrashed Controller and Auditor General XI 3-0 in their respective semi-final matches, here today.

In the first semi-final, the going was tough for both IOC and PSB and the latter defended their citadel very tightly.

IOC's sporadic raids in Bankmen's area were thwarted duly. In fact, experienced Deepak Thakur, who on ocasions raided the striking area was intercepted by the defenders.

After changeover, IOC forwards with able assistance from the winners were able to make in roads and went in to the lead.

Vikash Sharma broke the deadlock in the 4th minute with a superb field goal. Former India international Thakur, the highest scorer in the tournament, scored a spectacular goal to increase the lead. However, Karamjit Singh scored the consolation goal for the Bank in the 69th minute.

In the second semi-finals, Army went into the attack and were fluent in their passing scored all three goals in the first half itself.

Biraj Ekka sounded the boards in the 13th minute and four minutes later,Chandan Aind made it 2-0.

In the 28th minute, Binoy Bhengra completed the tally.