BPCL, IHF, Namdhari, Railways enter quarters

Chennai, Dec 20 (UNI)There were chances galore but Indian Railways failed to turn the tables on debutant team Namdhari XI who held them to a goalless draw but both qualified for the quarter finals from pool C at the 83rd All India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament here today.

Namdhari, who surived some lethal attacks by marauding Railway forward Raju failed to convert two penalty corners in a row as the contest was drawing to a close. Railways goalkeeper Fekerlo and Namdhari's Harjinder Singh did some splendid work.

Air India who had suffered an upset defeat at the hands of Namdhari yesterday failed to qualify. They had held Railways to a 1-1 draw.

Earlier, in another last league outing to decide the qualifiers to the knock out last eight stage from Pool A, BPCL who dominated play almost throught edged a fighting Mumbai XI 3-2 thanks to splendid work from international Amar Aiyamma who scored two goals in a row to put BPCL ahead 3-0 after striker Hari Prasad put the team ahead in the seventh minute.

Aiyamma combined with another international, Tushar Khandekar to harass the Mumbai XI defence no end.

The Mumbai team made a late resurgence. With winger Jasdev Singh's brace in tandem in the 64th and 69th minutes. Mumbai bowed out with two defeats against IHF Development XI and BPCL.

In the quarterfinals, to be played after a day's rest tomorrow, BPCL will take on Railways,IHF Development will take on Namdhari, IOC will play Army XI and Tamil Nadu XI will play against Indian Railways.

Pick up suitably from earlier series.

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