Champions' return, a good augury for the host

By Avinash Nair

BANGALORE, NOV. 26. Former Olympian Jude Felix and A.B. Subbaiah are back donning Karnataka colours, after nearly 15 years. And this in itself augurs well for the host as KSHA stadium at Akhithamanahalli, is all spruced to conduct the Cluster B matches of the 60th Senior National hockey championship for the Rangaswamy Cup, from the morrow.

Five teams-Punjab & Sind Bank, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Vidharbha and Pondicherry - are in the fray from this cluster.

The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), in a welcome change of format and to also make it easier for the host association, has divided the 46 confirmed units into eight pools.

While the matches in cluster `A' at Hyderabad and cluster `E' at Imphal are already underway the rest of the clusters) `C' in Chennai, `D' in Mumbai,`F' and `G' at Jammu and `H' at Rampur) will begin from Monday.

Top two teams from each of the clusters then assemble at Jammu for the pre-quarterfinal round to be held from December 8 to 16.

Karnataka will have to contend with last year's quarterfinalist Punjab & Sind Bank, which has had a good run in the last two season.

This year too the bankmen progressed impressively into the semifinals of the Nehru Cup only to be edged out by Bharat Petroleum by an odd goal in five.

Sandeep Singh and Sanjeev Kumar have looked good in the forefront, while the Baljeet's - Saini and Chandi - worked tirelessly in the midfield.

Another team the host to be wary off will be the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

A quarterfinalist in the recently-concluded All India Police Hockey at Hyderabad, CISF will once again be looking forward to Mangra Mundas and Ekkas to deliver the goods.

The other two teams - Vidharbha and Pondicherry - are no great shakes and at best can only give a fright or two before caving in.

With two teams from each cluster advancing into the round of 16, wherein the teams will be divided into four groups and the toppers than proceeding to the semi final round, Karnataka has all the reasons to fancy its chances of making the last eight (having failed to qualify at Hyderabad, last year) if not the four.

While a win against both Vidharbha, against which it opens its campaign tomorrow and Pondicherry should be a foregone conclusion, a good win against either of the two better-known teams would help its position.

Jude Felix, after his long stint abroad as a professional, looks fit and his very presence in the middle should cause a few worries for other teams.

Arjun Halappa and P. Shanmugham, both with international experience should provide the support cast for Jude in the midfield, while the likes of Prakash Chalke, Laxman Rao, A.K. Kavin, Ajay Aiyappa and the young Sandeep Micheal should seize the opportunities which is sure to come by, in good measure.

It remains to be seen what combinations that the shrewd coach Muthu Alexander would resort to.

Subbaiah in the goal is a cushion that the defence will look to although Ronald Kiran, Rama Rao and Thanu Nanjappa have it in them to take on the best of attacks in their stride.

IHF has nominated former international B.P. Govinda and Jude Felix for talent spotting while T. Jesudanam will be the IHF observer.

Three neutral umpires - Kanakaraj (TN), Jayakumar (Kerala) and Gopi Patnaik (AP) will officiate alongwith the chosen six from the host association.

The cluster `B' matches conclude on December 2 with Karnataka taking on Punjab & Sind Bank in the final league match.

lThe Karnataka team: Goalkeepers: A.B. Subbaiah, Arun Babu. Full backs: Ronald Kiran, M.V. Rama Rao and Thanu Nanjappa.

Half-backs: Arjun Halappa, P. Shanmugham, Jude Felix (Captain), Krishna Reddy, Amrit Kiro. Forwards: Anup Anthony, Laxman Rao, Prakash Chalke, A.K. Kavin, K.M. Somaiah, K.P. Dinesh, Ajay Aiyappa and Sandeep Micheal.

Chief coach: M. Alexander. Asst coach: M.R. Kumar. Manager: Col. C.A. Aiyappa.

Monday's matches: Karnataka vs Vidharbha (2.45 p.m), Pondicherry vs CISF (4.30 p.m).

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