Bharat Petroleum clip Air India's wings to lift Bombay Gold Cup

Mumbai, Apr 25 (UNI) Bharat Petroleum today put in a superb performance to outclass Air India routing them 4-1 to win the 45th Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mahindra stadium here.

Bharat Petroleum, the runners-up last year, today outshone a lacklustre Air India to take home Rs 1.25 lakh in prize money, while Air India had to be satisfied with Rs 75,000.

Bharat Petroleum put the Air India citadel under pressure right from the beginning forcing their first penalty corner in as early as the third minute. However, a weak push by Joginder Singh was easily padded way by goal keeper Gurpreet Singh to keep the scoreline 0-0.

Bharat Petroleum were however not to be denied for too long and two minutes later Pundaplik Bellary converted their second penalty corner, an indirect one to take the early advantage.

The Bangalore boys continued to torment the Airmen and in the 23rd minute increased their lead to 2-0 when a move down the right flank saw Prabhdeep Singh's cross found Amar Aiyamma, who made no mistake in putting their side 2-0 up.

Air India were able to mount some pressure on the Bharat Petroleum citadel when they received their first penalty corner in the 27th minute but Gavin Ferreira failed to trap the ball properly and the chance went abegging.

After change of ends Bharat Petroleum kept up the pressure and three minutes into the second half Irshad Ali scored from their third penalty corner. Prabhdeep Singh passed the ball to Irfan Ali, who sold a good dummy and let the ball go to Irshad Ali, who made no mistake with a rasping shot to make it 3-0.

Four minutes later in the 42nd minute the match was all but over when a good move down the left saw Amar Aiyamma back pass to Ravi Pal Singh on top of the circle whose first timer beat the goal keeper and went into the net to make it 4-0.

Air India did get a consolation goal in the 52nd minute when Harshpreet Singh latched onto a Joga Singh pass to sound the boards.

Bharat Petorleum then with a three goal lead at 4-1 pulled down the shutters keeping the ball within themselves to see out the match and with it lift the Gold Cup.

UNI