IOC rode on goals from Raghunath and Deepak Thakur to register its maiden triumph in the prestigious tournament.
Star-studded Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) beat experienced Indian Airlines 2-0 to win the 24th Surjit hockey tournament in Jalandhar.
IOC rode on goals from Raghunath and Deepak Thakur to register its maiden triumph in the prestigious tournament.
The final was fast paced and Indian Oil made forays into the opposition area right from the start, but without any success as the Airlines goalkeeper made some good saves.
IOC skipper Deepak Thakur and forward Sandeep Michael missed chances as both teams went goalless at half-time.
The teams displayed attacking hockey after the breather. In the 42nd minute, V. S. Vinay of Airlines missed the target and after just five minutes he wasted another opportunity.
The first goal came in the 54th minute when Indian Oil attacked from the left flank and earned a penalty stroke. Raghunath converted it to make it 1-0.
In the 56th minute, Airlines got an opportunity to equalise through a penalty corner but the vigilant IOC goalkeeper, Baljit Singh, thwarted the attempt.
All Airlines’ hopes fell flat when in the 64th minute IOC earned another penalty corner which was successfully converted by Deepak Thakur.
IOC, which was runner-up last time, did not concede any ground and held on to the lead to win the final.
The winner received a cash award of Rs. 3 lakhs while the runner-up took Rs. 1.6 lakhs.
The following were adjudged the best: Jagdish Ponappa (IA): goalkeeper; Raghunath (IOC): full-back; Vikram Pillay (IA): half-back; Deepak Thakur (IOC): forward.
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