Last year's runners-up Air India scored a comprehensive 6-2 win against Central Railway in a crucial Pool D league match to qualify for the semi finals of the 49th Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournament here today.
The win helped Air India, who had drawn 4-4 with South Central Railway in their previous match, finish with four points and make the grade from their pool.
Central Railway, who only required a draw following their 4-3 win over SCR earlier, succumbed to the sustained onslaught from the airmen.
AI's seasoned left winger Sameer Dad led the team's charge scoring twice in the 31st and 54th minutes.
Penalty corner specialist Gangapreet opened the scoring with a firm drag-flick in the ninth minute, while Aiyappa B K (25th minute), Armaan Qureshi (47th) and Shivendra Singh added other three goals to clinch the win for Air India.
Central managed to score two goals through Deepak Lakra (16th minute) and Ruben Kedari (35th).
Later, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Comptroller and Auditors General played out a 3-3 draw in a Pool B league match.
Internationals Manpreet Singh (8th) and SV Sunil (42nd), apart from Amir Khan (62nd) scored for BPCL while CAG scored through Imran Khan (20th), D S Darshan (55th) and Azam Baig (56th).
