NEW DELHI: Helped by a superb goal each from skipper Deepak Thakur and Deedar Singh, Indian Oil subdued Border Security Force (BSF), Jalandhar, 2-1 after leading 1-0 at halftime in the quarterfinals of the 43rd Nehru hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium here on Thursday.

Indian Oil was the better of the two teams but was unable to assert itself for long as BSF fought bravely, especially by pulling off the equaliser early in the second half.

Indian Oil was comfortably placed thanks to the goal midway through the first half by Deepak Thakur, who latched on to a rebound and smashed a crisp reverse hit with his back to the goal to beat the BSF defence, goalkeeper et al.

However, BSF infused life into the proceedings with a goal in the sixth minute on resumption, as Mandeep Singh Saini literally stabbed the ball home as he dived in front to deflect with his left-hand, a shot by Mukhjinder Singh who had done a splendid job in racing through the defence.

After a series of attacks and a string of penalty corners, Indian Oil struck the match-winner, as Deedar Singh found the roof of the net with a sharp drag off the team's fifth penalty corner.

Punjab Police posts win

Earlier in another quarterfinal, Punjab Police punched a goal in each half to record a surprisingly smooth 2-0 victory over a lethargic Punjab National Bank.

Satwinder Singh put the policemen ahead in the 11th minute of the first half and Gagandeep Singh consolidated the position with an opportunistic goal four minutes on resumption.

The bank team's challenge lacked sting and it was a disappointing fare, much in contrast to its superb display in the league when it had outclassed the formidable Indian Airlines 6-3.

In the semifinals, Namdhari XI will meet Bharat Petroleum and Punjab Police will clash with Indian Oil.

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