MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup 2026: Indian Navy Defeats Malaysia Junior Team 4-2 to Reach Semifinals

Indian Navy secured a 4-2 victory against the Malaysia Junior Team on Thursday at the SDAT Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, earning the second semifinal berth from Pool-B in the 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament.

Navy needed at least a draw to advance and controlled large portions of the match, creating numerous scoring chances. Bhavin Kushalappa opened the scoring for Navy in the eighth minute. Although Malaysia equalised in the 27th minute through Muhamad Harith, Navy quickly reclaimed the advantage before halftime. K. Selvaraj scored in the 30th minute following a penalty corner execution, and Pawan Rajbhar extended the lead in the 36th minute. Nitesh added a fourth goal in the 43rd minute, and while Muhammad Aizat scored a second goal for Malaysia shortly after, Navy maintained its lead to secure the win.

Upcoming Semifinal Fixtures

• Indian Navy vs. Indian Railways: Navy will face Pool-A topper and defending champion Indian Railways on Saturday.
• BPCL vs. Indian Army: Pool-B winner Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) will compete against Indian Army in the other semifinal.

Pool-A Qualification Details

Indian Army advanced as the second team from Pool-A after Indian Railways and Punjab National Bank (PNB) played out a 4-4 draw. PNB required a seven-goal margin of victory to qualify, but the drawn result eliminated those chances.

To verify official tournament schedules and match updates, viewers can consult regional sports bulletins and announcements from the tournament organizers.