KOLKATA: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) claimed the title in the 121st Beighton Cup Hockey Tournament after beating Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) 5-3 in the final played at SAI Complex in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Indian Oil, who fell short against Punjab National Bank (PNB) in the final last year, began the match on an aggressive note and fired three times in the first half through two India internationals in Gurjinder Singh (4th and 22nd minute) and S.K. Uthappa (12th) to take a three goal cushion at the half time.
BPCL made a strong comeback in the second half and sounded the board twice in span of two minutes through Amir Khan (42nd) and Varun Kumar (44th).
However, in the very next minute Indian Oil extended their lead to 4-2 through former India forward Deepak Thakur, then three minutes later experienced Prabhjot Singh found the target to make the scoreline 5-2.
Towards the end BPCL went all out and were also rewarded with a goal in the 63rd minute courtesy Harmanpreet Singh, but that was all BPCL could manage as Indian Oil thereafter managed to hold on to their two goal cushion to clinch their fifth Beighton Cup title.
Indian Oil midfielder Kothajit Singh was awarded with the Best Player award, while the Fairplay Trophy was given to Central Secretariat.