Talwinder Singh played a stellar role as Indian Oil, Delhi emerged supreme defeating Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Mumbai 5-4 via the sudden death penalty shootout in the final of the Union Bank of India-52nd Bombay Gold Cup All India Hockey Tournament, played at the MHAL-Mahndra Stadium, Churchgate on Wednesday evening. The lanky Sardar, Talwinder scored in regulation period which ended 1-all and then twice in the penalty shootout, once in the first set of five attempts of the tie-breaker and later in the sudden death to ensure Indian Oil regained the coveted title.
The victorious Indian Oil team pose with the prestigious Bombay Gold Cup and the winners’ cheque of Rs 1.5 lakh as they pose with MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakshi and MHAL Treasurer, Bal Govind Chokani.
In the summit clash between the oil majors, Indian Oil took an early lead through Talwinder Singh, who scored from a rebound after BPCL goalkeeper Swinder Singh had blocked Affan Yousuf’s attempt in the fourth minute.
The star-studded BPCL outfit fought back and managed to find the equalizer with Sher Singh scoring from a field effort in the 52nd minute and the match finished at 1-all. The tie-breaker penalty shootout also ended in a 3-3 stalemate before Talwinder scored the crucial for Indian Oil in the sudden death.
In the penalty shootout, Indian Oil converted through Bharat Chikara, Talwinder and Simranjeet Singh, while Gurjinder Singh and Manpreet missed. BPCL scored through Lalit Upadhyay, Varun Kumar and Birendra Lakra while Md. Amir Khan and S.V. Sunil failed to score. In the sudden death, Bharat flopped with the first try for Indian Oil before Talwinder for the third found success to seal the victory. BPCL failed with both tries from Upadhyay and Lakra.
Young Indian star Hardik Singh of BPCL won the SJAM ‘Player of the Tournament’ award and he received a cash award of Rs 10,000 from Olympian and former India captain M.M. Somaya.
The triumphant Indian Oil team received the prestigious Bombay Gold Cup and the winners’ cheque of Rs 1.5 lakh from MHAL President, Mangha Singh Bakshi and MHAL Treasurer, Bal Govind Chokani. BPCL were presented with the runners-up trophy and a cash award of one lakh.
Results –finals: Indian Oil, Delhi 4 (Talwinder Singh 3, Bharat Chikara, Simranjeet Singh) beat Bharat Petroleum, Mumbai (Sher Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Varun Kumar, Birendra Lakra).
Individual awards – SJAM ‘Player of the Tournament’: Hardik Singh (BPCL) – Prize Rs 10,000.
Player of the final: Dipsan Tirkey (BPCL) – Prize Rs 7,500.
Best goalkeeper: Krishan Pathak (Indian Oil); Best defender: Gurjinder Singh (Indian Oil); Best half back: Harjeet Singh (BPCL); Best forward: Affan Yousuf (Indian Oil) – Prize Rs 5,000 each.