Bengaluru Cup hockey 2015: Haryana XI continue their winning spree and drub MP Academy

Karnataka (in yellow) vs IOCL

Haryana XI continued their winning spree and topped the league table handing out a 2-0 drubbing to MP Academy in a women’s league match of the 2nd Bengaluru Cup hockey tournament organised by Hockey Karnataka at the hockey stadium here on Saturday.

Haryana girls scored two penalty corner goals in the first session through Devika Sen (5th minute) and Preeti (17th min). Haryana completed all their four league matches and have 12 points while MP Academy have 6 points from two wins after playing three games. They will take on minnows Punjab in the last league encounter tomorrow and are expected to make the final. However, if they lost by more than three-goal margin, Central Railway comes into reckoning.

Indian Oil Corporation Limited defeated Karnataka XI 4-3 in the men’s league match of the 2nd Bengaluru Cup hockey tournament organised by Hockey Karnataka at the hockey stadium here on Saturday.

For IOCL, Yuvaraj Walmiki (8th minute), Bharath Chikara (47th min) and Prabjot Singh (54th and 57th) scored while Thimmanna PL (19th min), Machaiah (29th min) and Md Raheel (65th min) found the target for Karnataka XI. IOCL have 10 points from four matches while Karnataka XI remain on 4 points from as many matches. Both the teams have one more outing in the league stage.

IOCL with many a veteran star in their ranks, banked on its experience while Karnataka XI exhibited youthful exuberance and led the match 2-1 till the 47th minute. But a brilliant brace within the space of three minutes by former Indian international Prabjot Singh allowed IOCL to hold the whiphand once again with a 4-2 lead.

Undaunted, the young Karnataka players raised the tempo and talented Md Raheel dribbled on his own into the circle from the left flank and from near the backline, he turned around and scooped into the corner of the net to make it 4-3. However, experience won as Oilmen were up to the task and ran away with full points holding on to the one-goal lead. For Karnataka, goalkeeper Jagdeep Dayal, Thimmanna PL and MB Aiyappa played their heart out.

Earlier, ONGC men defeated Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited 3-2. For ONGC, skipper Preetinder Singh scored two goals (9thminute, PC-49th min) while KH Jayanta converted a penalty stroke in the 39th minute. Gurpreet Singh (PC-12th min) and Amir Khan (13th min) reduced the margin for BPCL. With two minutes to go for the hooter, BPCL missed a golden chance to equalise. A goalbound Gurpreet hit was hit the legs of defender Yoginder Gulia and umpire GS Vivek pointed to the dreaded spot without any hesitation. But Gurpreet who took the stroke hit the left post.