Army recover to beat Kar, Petroleum scald IHF team

Chennai, Dec 17 (UNI) Defending champions Army XI who were mowed down by Karnataka in the first 14 minutes hit back strongly to edge past Karnataka 3-1 while Bharat Petroleum and Chemicals Limited (BPCL) outplayed IHF Development team 5-2, after being down by a goal for a rousing start in the 83rd All India Murugappa MCC Gold Cup hockey tournament which began at the astro turf stadium here today.

In the third match on the opening league match, IOC, who like BPCL team was packed with a few internationals, outplayed Tamil Nadu after being down by a goal to win 3-1.

Both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu flattered to deceive after going into the lead initially. So was the IHF team who also forced a lead as early as in the eighth minute through captain Vikramjit Singh who converted a penalty corner.

The BPCL proved to be too strong for IHF as the match wore on.

They equalised in the 25th minjute throgh Pumolik Beliary who also converted the team's first penalty corner. But as the match petered out into a one sided affair, BPCL firced a 3-1 lead through Ravi Pal(28th), Amar Aiyanna(39th). The IHF team managed to find the target for a second goal to make it 2-3 when M K Prakash (48th) converted a penalty corner. But BPCL wrapped up the match scoring two more field goals, through Amar Aiyappa again in the 51st and Jarmaig Singh in the 53rd.

The Army Karnataka match was action packed with both waging a grim battle. Karnatka managed to catch the Army men napping forcing a quick 2-0 lead making sharp forays into their citadel. First Anup Anthony (12th) sounded the board catching the defence off guard and two munutes later Laxman Rao found the target with a rebound. However, Army hit back and went on to take control of the match, first reducing the rival's lead as Dhananjay Mahadik converted a penalty corner in the 18th minute and drew leval as defender Rajesh Lakra converted another with a direct hit four minutes into the second session. As the Karnataka forwards failed to hustle the Army defence again, the Army men edged them out with Dhananjay converting a penatly stroke in the 54th minute after Chittaranjan Singh running down on the left flank was obstructed by a Karnataka defender as he was unleashing his shot. Umpire John Paul, who blew the whistle for a stroke allowed Chitharanja's goal but later reveresed his decision following protest by Karnataka. This necessitated Mahadik to convert the stroke.

In the last match under floodlight, Tamil Nadu led by former international Adam Sinclair, forced a 1-0 lead in the very second minute through winger Aswin.

But the IOC hit back finiding their rhythm equalising in the third minjute through Didar Singh who converted a penalty corner. Later in the second session which also saw IOC led by international Deepak Thakur, dominating, scored through Deepak for a 2-1 lead off a brilliant reverse flick on the run.

Another international Prabhjot Singh came up with a splendid goal on the run down the middle, deflecting the ball in, fed by Sardar Singh.

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