IOCL Thrashes Central Secretariat while Odisha Edges NCOE at the 95th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament
Chennai, 23rd Sep 2024: Hockey Association of Odisha defeated National Centre of Excellence, Bhopal, 3-2 to record its second win in Pool B in the 95th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament here on Sunday. Despite Odisha struggling to find their rhythm during first quarter of the match missing six penalty corners, they went on to defeat NCOE.
The Odisha team recovered from 0-1 and 1-2 deficits to emerge with a win. Sathish B put NCOE ahead in the 21st minute. Odisha levelled through Satish Kangadi six minutes later. The Bhopal team again went ahead when MD Faraz converted from a penalty corner in the 32nd minute. When it looked like NCOE would walk away with 2 points, Sudeep Minz restored parity in the 55th minute. Prasad Kujur scored in the 58th minute to deny the Bhopal team a win.
In the second match of the day, Indian Army-Red (ARMY) drew 1-1 with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), with both teams demonstrating tenacity and skill throughout the match.
Deepal Kumar scored for Army in the 8th minute from a penalty corner which was canceled out by BPCL when Vishwas Girish found the net in a quick counterattack. The two teams tried to break the deadlock but their defences held firm.
In the final match of the day between IOC-CS, the former outclassed its rival by scoring almost at will, with an impressive 7-0 victory. From the opening whistle, IOC set their intent to dominate the game. Gujinder Singh set the tone for IOC with a goal in the 3rd minute, followed by Sumit Kumar’s brilliant field goal in the 13th minute, doubling their lead.
The relentless pressure continued, and Talwinder Singh showcased his skills by finding the back of the net twice in the 21st and 46th minute. By the end of the first half, IOC had established a commanding 3-0 lead, leaving CS struggling to find their footing.
In the second half, IOC maintained their aggressive play. MD Zaid Khan emerged as a key player, scoring two quick goals in the 36th and 41st minutes, effectively sealing the game for IOC. As the match neared its conclusion, Aarman Qureshi capped off the scoring in the 49th minute with a well-placed field goal, bringing the final score to a staggering 7-0.
A special hockey masterclass for young players
On Sunday, September 22, 2024, over 30 school students from the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Nellikuppam, R R Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Nellikuppam, Greentech Higher Secondary School, Maruthadu, and Modern Higher Secondary School, Nellikuppam, got an opportunity to be a part of an inspiring session led by Olympians SV Sunil, Rahul Singh, Devendra Walmiki and Devesh Chauhan, who gave the students lessons from their journey as sportspersons. The students also witnessed a short speech by Dr J Radhakrishnan, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to TN Government and Principal Secretary for Civil Supplies Department of Tamil Nadu. He emphasised the importance of teamwork and following their coaches’ instructions.
“Years ago, if anyone had asked me whether hockey would become more popular, I may not have answered in the affirmative. But, now, given the efforts put into conducting tournaments such as these and increased importance given to it by the state government, hockey’s popularity has improved a lot more. Along with this, the Indian team’s successful performance in the Olympics has also been inspirational for young players such as yourselves,” said Dr Radhakrishnan.
The students were also the beneficiaries of a special hockey masterclass by Olympians V Baskaran and BP Govinda. Mr Baskaran and Mr Govinda taught basic hockey techniques to the budding players and demonstrated them in this 30-minute masterclass. They also encouraged the students to play with them and taught them the importance of fitness and regular practice. “It was a great opportunity for me to be part of the session for the children from Nellikuppam. Govinda and I emphasised the importance of communication skills in a team, because that’s what makes a team work well. I found the children to be very enthusiastic. It was inspiring for me too, and it will take hockey to great heights,” said Mr Baskaran.
Results:
Pool A: Hockey Association of Odisha 3 (Satish Kangadi 27, Sudeep Minz 55, Prasad Kujur 58) beats NCOE Bhopal 2 (Sathish B 21, Faraz MD 32).
Pool B: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd 1 (Vishwas Girish 08) draws Indian Army-Red 1 (Deepal Kumar 08).
Pool A: Indian Oil Corporation LTD 7 (Gujinder Singh 03, Sumit Kumar 13, Talwinder Singh 21 & 46, MD Zaid Khan 36 & 41, Aarman Qureshi 49) beats Central Secretariat 0
Match schedule: Monday, 23rd September, 2024
1st Match at 4.15 PM – (POOL A) Hockey Maharashtra vs (POOL A) RSPB – Railways
2nd Match at 6:00 PM – (POOL B) NCOE Bhopal vs (POOL B) Hockey Karnataka
First Match
| Players | Minute |
| Sathish B (NCOE) | 21 FG |
| Satish Kangadi (HOD) | 27 FG |
| Faraz MD (NCOE) | 32 PC |
| Sudeep Minz (HOD) | 55 PC |
| Prasad Kujur (HOD) | 58 FG |
Second Match
| Players | Minute |
| Vishwas Girish (BPCL) | 08 FG |
| Deepal Kumar (ARMY) | 08 PC |
Third Match
| Players | Minute |
| Gujinder Singh (IOC) | 03 PC |
| Sumit Kumar (IOC) | 13FG |
| Talwinder Singh (IOC) | 21 FG |
| MD Zaid Khan (IOC) | 36 FG |
| MD Zaid Khan (IOC) | 41 FG |
| Talwinder Singh (IOC) | 46 FG |
| Aarman Qureshi (IOC) | 49 FG |
| POOL- B | ||||||||
| SL.NO | TEAM | PLAYED | WON | DRAWN | LOST | FOR | AGAINST | POINTS |
| 1 | HOCKEY ODISHA | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 7 |
| 2 | INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LTD (IOCL) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | NCOE, BHOPAL | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| 4 | CENTRAL SECRETARIAT | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| 5 | HOCKEY KARANATAKA | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| POOL – A | ||||||||
| SL.NO | TEAM | PLAYED | WON | DRAWN | LOST | FOR | AGAINST | POINTS |
| 1 | BHARAT PETROLEUM CORPORATION LTD | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
| 2 | HOCKEY UNIT OF TAMIL NADU | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | HOCKEY MAHARASTRA | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 3 |
| 4 | INDIAN ARMY – RED | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 5 | RAILWAY SPORTS PROMOTION BOARD | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
