Defending champions Air India rode on some excellent performance from former India recruits to beat Sports Authority of India (SAI) 4-3 in the 65th All India Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup hockey tournament.
Air India, which included the likes of former India captain Dhanraj Pillay, Samir Dad and Shivender Singh in their ranks, took the lead in the 30th minute through Joga Singh but their joy was short-lived as SAI levelled the score a minute later with Shakir converting the only penalty stroke of the match.
However, Air India regained the lead in 32nd minute after Dhanraj Pillay relished on a pass from Dad to score the second goal for his side. Dad and Shivender then made the score read 4-1 after the two scored in the 55th and 57th minute of the match. SAI, however, made some lost ground scoring two goals in quick succession but that did not prove enough.
Avinash found the Air India net in 64th minute while Azam Baig scored for SAI in the dying moments of the game to make it 4-3.
In the second match of the day Indian Oil rode on a brace from Prabhjot Singh to blank Sapura Club of Malaysia 4-0. In another match, ONGC drubbed Bangladesh 9-1.
