Karnataka regains title

By Our Sports Reporter

NALGONDA, FEB. 7 Karnataka kept its cool when it mattered most - in the penalty shoot-out - to edge out a fighting Manipur 5-4 in the final of the ninth sub-junior National hockey championships (under-16) here on Monday and regain the title after a gap of twelve years.

It was Karnataka which dominated the first-half with a methodical display as the forwards K. M. Somanna, captain K. P. Dinesh and Suresh Kumar showed the speed and imagination upfront. A series of raids clearly rattled the Manipur defence which was evident by the fact that six penalty corners were earned in the first 25 minutes.

Centre half Harpreet Singh donned the role of schemer to perfection. Chinappa could have scored the first goal for Karnataka in the 24th minute but after weaving his way into the striking area from the half-line, he lost control of the ball near the goalline. Soon right-out Suresh Kumar's attempted reverse flick just missed the target from the top of the circle.

That Manipur forwardline was not allowed any liberty after the 25-yard line was a tribute to the solidity of Karnataka defence effectively manned by goalie Alvin Felix, the ever- reliable Pradeep Singh and P. Vinay Kumar. In the 11th minute expectedly it was Karnataka which shot into lead when captain K. P. Dinesh converted a short-corner.

The change of ends saw a change in the strategy of Manipur boys who went on the offensive in contrast to the slow game. This was the phase when Karnataka defence was put to serious test. Left- winger M. Samudrajit, left out O. K. Tolen and captain and centre-forward M. Chittaranjan were in the thick of action for Manipur. Consequently it earned four penalty corners though all of them went abegging.

Left in Sumesh Kantha of Manipur could have levelled the scores in the 22nd minute of the second half but failed to trap a long cross from the centre, inside the `D' just when it looked as if Karnataka would clinch the issue in full time itself, it was stunned by referee V. B. Singh's decision to award the penalty stroke. He clarified the goalie Alvin Felix handled a stationery ball inside the penalty area with just two minutes to go for the final whistle. Tolen scooped in to the top of the goal to level the scores (one-all).

At the commencement of extra time for the golden goal, Karnataka had the misfortune of seeing its captain Dinesh shown the yellow card and sit out for five minutes.

Though there was a ding dong battle for supremacy, the deadlock persisted though once Karnataka' Suresh Kumar threatened to score after positioning well for a perfect centre. But he was thwarted by the Manipur goalkeeper M. Rinash's alacrity.

In the tie-breaker, for Karnataka, Somanna, Dinesh and Harpreet Singh scored, while Vikram Kanth and Chinappa failed to score for Manipur, Tolen, Somorjit and captain Chittaranjan were successful while Samudrajit and L. Barjakumar failed.

In the sudden death Karnataka's Dinesh put the ball in while, Manipur's Tolen scooped it out prompting celebrations in Karnataka camp. Mr. Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, Union Minister of State for Home, gave away the prizes. Right in Ravindra Kumar of Punjab was named player of the tournament.

Dora named Chef de Mission

Mr. H. J. Dora, Vice-President of Indian Hockey Federation and President of the Hyderabad Hockey Association, and Mr. V. Ramchandra Rao, President of Nalgonda Hockey Association, have been named as Chef de Mission and Manager of the Indian hockey team to take part in the five-nation tournament in Egypt next week.

This was disclosed by Mr. K. Jyothikumaran, Secretary of IHF, here today.

In another welcome development, Minister Vidyasagar Rao announced the Government order regarding setting up a hockey academy and a sports hostel in Nalgonda was cleared and that these two would be set up soon. We will provide all help to promote sports in this area, he added.

The Karnataka team which regained the sub-junior National hockey title in Nalgonda on Monday.

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