An inspired Prabhjot Singh scored thrice as Indian Oil prevailed over Star Hockey Club of Pakistan 4-2 in a well-contested match of the Shastri hockey tournament in New Delhi on Saturday.
Prabhjot ripped through the opposition defence to score in the second, seventh and 59th minutes and Rajpal Singh sounded the board in the 40th minute in Indian Oil's first win from two matches in the competition. Their first match against Air India was a 2-2 draw.
Muddssar (25th) and Rizwan Bhatt (64th) scored once each but could not save the side from suffering their first defeat in the tournament.
In earlier matches of the day, Air India beat Indian Navy 4-2 while title favourites Indian Airlines defeated BPCL 2-0.
The match between Indian Oil and Pakistan XI saw both teams ekeing out some great hockey from the first minute itself in their attempt to put the pressure on their opposition.
But the Indian side were lucky to take the lead very early as Prabhjot Singh converted a penalty stroke in the second minute.
Five minutes later he made it 2-0 prompting Star XI make frantic efforts to reduce the margin.
The visitors attempts on the opposition post paid rich dividends when Mudassar scored one in the 25th minute as the Indian Oil went to the half-time leading 2-1.
Rajpal scored five minutes into the second half and Prabhjot made it 4-1 19 minutes later though the visitors gave one back just six minute before the hooter.
Indian deep defence hold good by thwarting 10 penalty corners and a penalty stroke.
Jitender Saroha (8th), Deepak Kumar (30th), Davinder Kumar (47th) and Harish Kumar (54th) scored in Air India's win over Indian Navy for whom Rajan Lakra (9th) and Golti (64th) sounded the board.
Girish Pimpale (34th) and Arjun Halappa (36th) were the scorers in star-studded Indian Airlines' win over BPCL.
