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Reigning champions Indian Oil, Mumbai lived up to their billing, sailing past Indian Air Force, Delhi 5-2 to romp into the semifinals of the Surjit Singh Memorial hockey tournament being played at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park in Jalandhar.
The oilmen weaved attacks from the starting hooter and went ahead in the 16th minute when Sunil Yadav made the most of their first penalty corner. It was Sunil, who again doubled the lead in the 25th minute, again profiting from a short corner conversion.
The formidable oil outfit made the scoreline 3-0 close to half-time when Olympian Deepak Thakur scored a field goal to put his side in cruise mode at the breather.
Indian Air Force needed to summon desperate measures and reduced the deficit in the 49th minute through Devendra Chandra.
Vastly experienced striker Deepak Thakur showed he is in top shape so what he is out of the national reckoning, pumping home the fourth goal in the 57th minute.
The nippy forward completed his hat-trick three minutes from the final hooter.
Indian Air Force snapped up a solace goal through Verendra in the final minute of play.
Army-XI also made it to the semifinals after easing past Mumbai XI 5-2 to top their pool. Amy XI rode on a brace of goals from Milan Muthappa and Binoy and a striker from Vishva Thakur to have an easy day on the pitch.
Narad Bahadur scored twice for Mumbai XI.
As many as twelve teams are playing in this premier domestic hockey tournament.
IOC, Mumbai are placed in Pool A alongside Punjab Police and Indian Air Force (IAF). Pool B features ONGC, Punjab National Bank and BSF.
Pool C comprises Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), Army XI and Mumbai XI. Pool D features Bharat Petroleum, Punjab & Sind Bank and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited.
The Surjit hockey tournament is the only event in the world where prizes like car, motor Cycles, refrigerators, etc will be handed out to the spectators.
Spectators would get daily lucky coupons till October 18 at the entry gate of the stadium while players and officials would be issued lucky coupons on the day of their first match.
The lucky draw for the ALTO and other prizes will be held soon after the final whistle of the final match.
Famous Punjabi folk singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh would entertain the spectators from 5.30 onwards, before the start of final match on October 18.
