BPCL Outclass PNB in Opening Gold Cup Tie
Bhopal — Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) outclassed Punjab National Bank (PNB) 3-2 in the inaugural fixture of the All India Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey Tournament at the Aishbagh Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Drawing first blood, Gurwinder Singh breached the BPCL defences to post the first goal for the PNB in the 23d minute of the match.
Stung by the goal, the BPCL launched a roaring counter-offensive striking three goals in as many minutes. Opening the account, Gurpreet Singh converted a penalty stroke in the 25th minute and Tushar Khandekar and Hari Prasad scoring brilliant field goals in the 26th and 27th minutes of the game.
The first half ended with the score card reading 3-1 in favour of the BPCL.
With repeated forays into the BPCL half failing to find target, the PNB earned the consolation goal with Bruno scoring a field goal in the 48th minute to pull one back before the final whistle.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who witnessed the opening tie, presented the man of the match award to BPCL midfielder Birendra Lakra.
Wednesday’s Fixtures
Army XI Vs South Eastern Central Railway (SECR), Bilaspur at 6pm.
West Central Railway (WCR) Vs SAI XI at 7.45pm
