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NT Bureau
Chennai, Dec 24:

        Indian Oil Corporation scored once in each half to oust defending champions Army XI, while former winners Indian Airlines beat Tamil Nadu XI 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the 83rd MCC Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey tournament here yesterday.

        Indian Airlines found the net through Sameer Dad and Pawar. Army XI had a couple of chances to score, besides their five penalty corners, but IOC cashed in on their two opportunities to progress to the semi-final where they meet Indian Airlines Sunday. IOC went into the lead in the 14th minute through good work from Deepak Thakur and Didar Singh, who moved inside the circle before the former showed good opportunism to tap the ball home.

        Raghuprasad netted the second goal in the 46th minute following a penalty corner.

        In the second match, Indian Airlines surprised the home team with a superb third minute goal.

        Veteran Dhanraj Pillay, who played the full 70 minutes, showed his agility and technique.

        In fact, the Tamilnadu players would have learnt a few tricks from Pillay, such was his control and finesse. His one touch pass saw former international V S Vinay relaying it to Arjun Halappa.

        Halappa tactfully moved to the centre and passed to Sameer Dad in front of the Tamil Nadu goal and the latter banged the boards with goalkeeper P R Sreejesh out of position.

        The star-studded Indian Airlines piled on the pressure and were able to earn a few penalty corners, but in vain.

        Though Tamil Nadu put up a spirited fight in the second half and created few goalscoring moves, Indian Airlines increased their tally in the 46th minute when Vinay's pinpoint cross from the left was deflected in by Pawan, who was standing near the goalmouth.