IOC make final of Murugappa hockey, to meet Railways

A brilliant display by drag flicker V R Raghunath today helped defending champions Indian Oil Corporation Limited set up a summit clash with Indian Railways in the MCC All India Murugappa Gold Cup hockey here.

Besides the coveted title, the finalists would by vying for a prize money of Rs five lakh tomorrow.

The IOC led the first half 2-0 and defeated ONGC 4-2 to make the final, while former champions Railways, who were down 0-2 at the break, won their semifinal match against Bharath Petroleum Corporation Limited 3-2, thanks to a Gurpreet Singh penalty corner conversion just before the hooter.
 

In the first semifinal, IOC were in the comfort zone with a two-goal lead but were totally surprised by the turn of events in the second half as the players of Oil and Natural Gas Commission matched their star-studded rivals.

With the two teams tied at 2-2, Raghunath scored with a flick to make it 3-2, before Sanjay completed the tally to make it 4-2 with a goal in the 58th minute.