Odisha has emerged as a formidable force in the 95th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup All-India hockey tournament, showcasing exceptional skill and tactical prowess. Composed primarily of young players, the team has displayed an attractive and effective brand of hockey that has captivated spectators.
In a thrilling Pool-B encounter, Odisha faced a stern test against the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE, Bhopal). Despite dominating the first quarter with six penalty corners, it was NCOE that drew first blood through Sathish. Odisha responded swiftly, equalizing within minutes.
The third quarter witnessed a resurgence from NCOE, who gained possession and scored a penalty corner goal through their captain, Faraz Md. However, Odisha’s resilience shone through in the fourth quarter. With their exceptional dribbling skills, speed, and 1-2 passes, they mounted a relentless attack, scoring twice through Satish Kangadi, Sudeep Minz, and Prasad Kujjur to seal a 3-2 victory.
In another Pool-B match, former champion IOCL displayed their dominance with a resounding 7-0 thrashing of Central Secretariat. Gujinder Singh, Sumit Kumar, Talwinder Singh, Md. Zaid Khan, and Aarman Qureshi were among the goal scorers for IOCL.
With seven points from three matches, Odisha is well-positioned to advance to the semifinals from its group. Their impressive performance has been a testament to the team’s talent and determination.
