MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup: Indian Railways shuts off SAI-NCOE (Bhopal), Navy outwits IOC

Defending champion Indian Railways and Indian Navy scripted an all-win record in their respective pools with impressive victories as the league matches of the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup invitation hockey tournament came to an end at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Thursday.

Railways scored a comfortable 5-2 victory over SAI-NCOE (Bhopal) in a Pool A match, while Navy shocked former champion IOC 3-2 in an exciting Pool B tie. 

Undoubtedly, Navy has been the standout team in the tournament. The young team has shown remarkable ability to outpace its opponent in every match. With some outstanding players in strikers K. Selvaraj, Ajinkya Jadhav and midfielder Navin Kerketta, Navy has set an example for others to follow with the right mix of defence and offence. 

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After a goalless first two quarters, IOC opened the account towards the end of the third when Olympian V. R. Raghunath converted off a penalty corner. Then, in a matter of six minutes, Navy showcased its attacking might by scoring three goals from which the former champion never recovered. K. Selvaraj was the star of the match as he scored a brace. First, he scored by deflecting one off a penalty corner shot by Sanjit Toppo and then he scored off a rebound from the ‘keeper Pankaj Rajak. 

Requiring a victory to make it to the play-offs, SAI-NCOE (Bhopal) never really showed the stomach for a win, as Railways literally closed out the match in the first two quarters, scoring four goals. Former international Gursahibjit Singh scored a hat-trick to emerge as the torchbearer of his team once again.