Thakur takes Indian Oil to top of table

Former India striker Deepak Thakur scored four goals to help Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Mumbai beat Controller and Auditor General Office (CAG) 4-1 in the deciding Group A league tie in the 89th All India MCC Murugappa Hockey tournament here today.
Thakur has been the main striker for IOC in the earlier three matches and he kept his form and momentum today as well to score at will. His flurry of goals helped IOC finish on top in the league before they take on Punjab and Sind Bank in the semifinals on Saturday.
The second semi final would be between CAG and former champions Army XI. The final is slated for Sunday.

The wily Thakur went in to the attack from the word go but the CAG penalty conversion expert Mohd Naeemuddin score against the run of play in the 12th minute.
Thakur then restored parity in the 29th minute. What followed was next was a brace of Thakur goals in space of three minutes -- a penalty corner conversion in 49th minute and then an almost solo effort in the 52nd minute for a 3-1 lead.
With the IOC forwards gaining momentum a minute before the hooter, Thakur completed his fourth goal in style.
Later in an inconsequential match, Namdhari XI beat Mumbai 1-0 with Avtar Singh being the sole scorer.