The Hindu : Saurabh Bishnoi is BPCL's hero

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 08, 2002

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Sport - Hockey

Saurabh Bishnoi is BPCL's hero

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI MAY 7. Saurabh Bishnoi's powerful hitting was enough to fuel Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited's progress in the BPCL-sponsored 100th Aga Khan Hockey tournament on Tuesday, winning 2-1 in their opening knockout match.

Goal-keeper Lincoln Taites, at the receiving end of the BPCL barrage, stole the show with countless saves as the Bombay Gymkhana President's XI reduced the margin through Jayesh Jadhav in the closing minutes.

Bishnoi opened his account with a fierce hit off the first penalty corner forced by BPCL, the ball going in off a BGP XI defender's stick. His second came in the second half off the fifth penalty corner, this time the shot deceiving goal-keeper Taites and sounding the boards. For the rest of the tournament opener, the Mumbai youngster under the bar was unbeatable, pulling off at least four saves in field attempts with timely dives and blocks.

Jayesh Jadhav slotted in a pass from Lawrence Soares past P. Bopanna in the BPCL goal to reduce the margin for BGP XI, made up of hand-picked Mumbai youngsters playing in the Super League, for teams not among the 16 sides invited for the tournament.

Sabu Varkey's speed proved a handful for BPCL's young rivals, even as the World Cupper found it difficult to keep his balance on the Bombay Gymkhana's grass surface.

Amar Aiyamma was the other thorn for the hosts, but the BPCL striker scooped one attempt over the crossbar, another hit with his back to the goal rolled wide.

Eight teams will qualify after first round knockout for the league stage.

Wednesday's match: Mumbai Customs vs Chandigarh XI.

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