Three-time defending champions Indian Railways opened their campaign at the 97th All-India
The match saw the Army side display significant intensity, frequently pressing high and moving the ball with greater purpose than their opponents. While Railways managed to secure the result, their performance lacked the clinical edge typically associated with a side of their pedigree, leaving them vulnerable for long stretches of the contest.
Railways Clinch Late Winner After Penalty Stroke Miss
The deadlock was broken in the 12th minute when Lovepreet Singh capitalized on a penalty corner. After initiating the set-piece, he positioned himself perfectly in front of the goal to deflect a drag-flick from Jasjit Singh past the Army goalkeeper. Railways had a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the second quarter after a penalty stroke was awarded when a drag-flick from Pratap Lakra struck Rahul on the goal-line. However, Lakra failed to convert, rattling the crossbar instead.
The Indian Army punished that wastefulness shortly before halftime. In the 28th minute, Ankush found the back of the net with a close-range tap-in to level the score. The second half remained a tense affair, with Railways squandering two additional penalty corners in the final quarter as the Army goalkeeper repeatedly denied Lakra. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 57th minute when Yogember Rawat stepped up to convert a penalty corner, firing a drag-flick past the keeper to seal the 2-1 win.
Bharat Petroleum Dominates Tamil Nadu
In the day's other action, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) delivered a commanding performance in their Pool-B fixture, dismantling the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu with a 5-1 victory. BPCL’s attack was relentless, with Mandeep Singh leading the charge by netting two goals in the 5th and 57th minutes. Additional contributions came from Devindar Walmiki, who scored in the 4th minute, Subhan Abid in the 24th, and Charanjeet Singh in the 54th. Tamil Nadu managed a lone consolation goal through K. Muthukumar in the 49th minute.
