MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup 2025: Tamil Nadu and SAI-NCOE play out a thriller; Malaysia junior team edges out CBDT

The 96th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup invitation hockey tournament served up a wonderful treat to a modest gathering of spectators at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Sunday. 

Three matches produced a total of 21 goals, with each match outdoing the other in terms of quality and suspense.

In the first match of the day, Tamil Nadu and SAI-NCOE (Bhopal) were involved in an eight-goal thriller, with both teams sharing the honours in a Pool-A tie. 

Later in two Pool-B matches, Indian Navy produced a robust performance to outwit Karnataka 4-2 while the Malaysian National junior team delivered a stand-out performance under pressure to edge out Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) 4-3.

After the shocking win over Indian Army the other day, much was expected from Tamil Nadu and the host did impress in the first quarter, attacking and defending with aplomb, leading 2-0. However, NCOE fought back admirably scoring thrice in the second quarter exposing TN’s defence. 

TN, however, pulled up its socks in the third by plugging the gaps and improving the final third. TN’s captain B. P. Somanna was the star as he marshalled the team admirably. His second goal, off a penalty corner, enabled it to equalise 3-3 and Balachandar scored off a rebound in a matter of minutes. TN’s joy was shortlived as Amit Yadav converted. 

Malaysian junior team delivered a sparkling performance especially from the flanks to beat CBDT, that put immense pressure on the young side in all the quarters. Malaysia came up trumps, with a last-gasp goal in the fourth and final quarter through Shakir Azimuddin, who scored a scorching grounder off a penalty corner.