Murugappa Gold Cup: BPCL strengthens semifinal prospects with third straight win

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) edged a travel-weary Malaysia junior team 1-0 in a Pool-B match of the 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament at the SDAT Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Monday.

Malaysia, which won the Sultan of Johor Cup on Saturday night in Johor Bahru before reaching Chennai on Sunday, looked off-colour after the short turnaround. BPCL dominated with its raids but failed to make the most of several scoring opportunities, including a penalty stroke.

Sudeep Chirmako scored the winner in the third minute with a well-worked goal. A long aerial pass from near the halfway line found a teammate near the right post, who squared the ball to Chirmako in front of goal. The forward made no mistake.

BPCL had a chance to extend its lead in the 36th minute, but Devindar Walmiki sent the penalty stroke wide. Malaysia won a penalty corner in the 44th minute, but Gunaseelan Dheeressh’s drag-flick was blocked by an advancing defender.

BPCL failed to convert two penalty corners in the final seconds but strengthened its semifinal prospects with its third consecutive win.

The results: Pool-A: Indian Army 5 (Dhariyashil Jadhav 15, Ankush 21, Cyril Lugun 28-pc, Rohit Irengbam 40, Ritendra 41) bt Punjab National Bank 2 (Naveen Antil 35-pc, Abhimanyu 50).

Pool-B: BPCL 1 (Sudeep Chirmako 3) bt Malaysia junior team 0.