BPCL (Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited), Bengaluru clinched back to back titles defeating CAG (Comptroller & Audit General) 6-1 in the final of the Dabang Mumbai – 50th All India Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournament -2015 and played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium on Wednesday evening. Union Bank of India and Bank of India are the co-sponsors of the tournament.
The victorious BPCL team along with their Company Executives, pose with the Bombay Gold Cup, after winning the finals of MHAL organised Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament.
S.V. Sunil, Manpreet Singh, Jarnail Singh, Amir Khan, Somanna Pradhan and Ravi Pal scored a goal each for the victors, while Abhishek Singh netted the consolation goal for the losing side.
Chief Guest, Olympian Viren Rasquinha, presented the coveted Bombay Gold Cup and a cheque of Rs 3 lakh to the champs BPCL. MHAL President, Shri Mangha Singh Bakshi presented the runners-up trophy and a cash award of Rs 1.5 lakh to CAG.
This was BPCL’s third title in five appearances in the finals in a period of ten years. They had earlier won the coveted crown in 2007 and were runner-up in 2006 and 2008. For rank outsiders CAG this was their maiden appearance in the final of this major tournament.
The star-studded BPCL outfit, comprising of Indian players, Sunil, Amir Khan, Birendra Lakra and Manpreet Singh, made their intentions clear from the outset and did drew first blood in third minute. Jarnail Singh with a measured found Sunil ideally positioned inside the circle and the latter made no mistake in tapping home from close in the 3rd minute. Eight minutes later Manpreet after cutting in from the right unleashed a rasping reverse hit which whizzed past a dazed CAG custodian Harjit Singh and in the 29th minute Jarnail was alert to deflect into the net Amir Khan’s forward hit to increase the lead to 3-0.
CAG defender Chandan Singh had a good game. He showed fine anticipation and made a couple of saves, including one on the goalline when he blocked Gurpreet Singh drag-flick from their first short corner in the first half.
BPCL maintained the tempo after the change of ends and added three more goals through Amir Khan (46th minute), Pradhan (48th minute) and Ravi Pal (65th minute). CAG managed to reduce the deficit through Abhishek Singh’s neat strike in the 52nd minute.
S.V. Sunil (BPCL) was later declared at the ‘Player of the tournament’. The other awards were won by Dinesh Mann (CAG) as Best goalkeeper; Birendra Lakra (BPCL) as Best defender; Bishan Singh (Air India) as Best half back and Amir Khan (BPCL) Best forward. All five players were presented with a cash award of RS 10,000 each.
Results – (finals): BPCL (S.V. Sunil 3rd, Manpreet Singh 11th, Jarnail Singh 27th, Mohd Amir Khan 46th, Somanna Pradhan 48th, Ravi Pal 65th) beat CAG (Abhishek Singh 52nd).
Other awards –Player of the tournament: S.V. Sunil (BPCL).
Best goalkeeper: Dinesh Mann (CAG).
Best defender: Birendra Lakra (BPCL).
Best half back: Bishan Singh (Air India).
Best forward: Mohd Amir Khan (BPCL).