IndianOil holds nerve to win in Shootout
New Delhi   29-Mar-2008
IndianOil beat Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited 7-5 in a penalty shootout in the final of 26th Inter Unit Petroleum Sports Promotion Board hockey tournament played at the BHA-Mahindra Stadium here on Friday after trailing 0-2 at one stage. Drag-flicker V. Raghunath, Bharat Chikara, Didar Singh, Sardara Singh and Deepak Thakur were the goal-getters for IndianOil, while BPCL goalkeeper M.K. Prakash, Gurprect Singh and Irshad Ali converted successfully. The competition was neck and neck IndianOil was up 4-3 in the shootout till Tushar Khandker of BPCL missed his shot, giving the edge to IndianOil. Skipper Deepak Thakur did not waste time in clinching the win for IndianOil. <b>Hockey</b> In regulation time, Amar Aiyamma opened the account through a hard struck field goal for BPCL in the 12th minute. Just seven minutes later Hari Prasad gave BPCL a 2-0 lead at an early stage of the game. Star-studded IndianOil struck back soon as drag flicker V. Raghunath scored in the 26th minute and minutes later Hamza Mujtaba equalised before half time. After the exciting first half, the second was a dull affair. No goals were scored and even opportunities were few and far in between. The 15-minute extra periods also were barren. Results: IndianOil 7 (V Raghunath 2, Hamja Mujtaba 1, Bharat Chikara 1, Didar Singh 1, Sardara Singh 1, Deepak Thakur 1) bt BPCL 5 (Amar Aiyamma U Hari Prasad. t,, M.K. Prakash 1, Gurpreet Singh. <b>A last day out for Rasquinha </b> Indian hockey's poster boy, Viren Rasquinha, played his last competitive match for employers IndianOil Corporation at the Bombay Hockey Association-Mahindra Stadium here on Friday. The Bandra boy was overwhelmed as this was the first time ever that his mother, Dr Merlyn Rasquinha, was present to watch him in action. Asked what was his best memory till date playing at the BHA, his favourite venue, the midfielder said, "Today is indeed my best day among other memories that I cherish of this place. Another dates way back to 1994 when the astro-turf was laid at the stadium and I was a small boy. I stole a part of the turf, and kept it in my pocket I was also thrilled to see the water sprinklers around the ground." There were a lot of fans present to watch him play this last game. Said Rasquinha, who quit international hockey in January early his year, "It is, always good to see people coming to watch you play. Appreciation of fans is important in a sportsman life." The player also did well in the team's triumph over Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited 7-5 in a penalty shootout He said; "I will miss the guys in my team. They are really funny. "My mother came here for the first time ever. She is a doctor and is fed up of my injuries. Now she can relax." It is difficult for any player to quit a game that earned him name and fame.. But Rasquinha is a practical guy and has done what he wanted to. On what could be the five things that the Indian Hockey Federation needed to do to revive Indian hockey, he says, "Professionalism, five times." On the people who have made a difference in his life, Rasquinha said, "I cannot point out a single person. All my coaches, players, opponents, and everyone at BHA and the staff are my extended family." Rasquinha will now join the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad from April 12 to pursue an MBA course.