Formidable Air India and defending champions Army XI won in contrasting styles to sail into the semi final of the 19th All India Beighton Cup hockey tournament here Saturday.
While Air India routed Canara Bank 6-1, Army XI went past All India CAG 2-0 in pool A quarter final league encounters at the SAI Sports Complex.
After two matches, Air India and Army XI have logged six points, while the two other sides in the group Canara Bank and All India CAG are yet to open their account.
In the first match after a goalless first half, Army XI struck at the 51st minute mark when Pawal Lakra scored the opening goal followed by a Siraju A.D. strike six minutes before time from a penalty corner.
The 2nd pool A match was a goal feast for Air India as they trampled Canara Bank.
Gagan Preet Singh scored four goals(17,30,38,65minutes) for his side along with Sameer Dad (40) and Vikram Pillay (48) who too found the back of the net. However, it was Canara Bank which drew first blood in the 16th minute courtesy a Sommana K.M. strike.
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The day's third match was a pool B encounter where PNB beat ONGC 2-1.
Damandeep Singh scored as early as three minutes into the match, followed by a Arjun Antil goal in the 38th minute.
The sole scorer for ONGC was K.H. Jayanta who pulled one back seven minutes into the second half.