Army comes back from behind to draw 2-2 with Bharat Petroleum

Mumbai, Apr 28 (UNI) Army XI came back from a two goal deficit to force a 2-2 draw against Bharat Petroleum in the last semi-final league match of the 44th Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournament here today.

Both these teams had already booked their places for the final tomorrow and today's match was therefore just a dress rehearsal ahead of the final.

In the other semi-final league match Namdhari XI pipped the defending champions Western Railway by the odd goal in three to grab the third spot in the tourney.

The match between Army XI and Bharat Petroleum was a fast paced match as both the teams looked to take the physological advantage ahead of tomorrow's final.

It was Bharat Petroleum who started the first half on the attack and went into the lead in the 16th minute through Ravi Nayakar. A cross from the right by Deepak Sharma was padded away by goalkeeper P T Rao only to see the rebound land straight to Nayakar who had to only tap the ball into the goal to put his team ahead.

Ravi Nayakar was once again involved in the second goal of Bharat Petroleum also as his pass in the 31st minute found Pundalik Bellary who tapped the ball in as Bharat Petroleum went up 2-0.

Army XI should have reduced the margin in the 34th minute.

Following their first penalty corner, which was taken indirectly, saw a good one-two by Dhananjay Mahadik and Suresh Kumar, before the latter hit the top of the post.

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