Karnataka routs Pondicherry

By Avinash Nair

BANGALORE, NOV. 30. Karnataka struck home seven of the 16 penalty corners awarded to it. And this heartening percentage, if one can call it that, was possible thanks to the versatality of Arjun Halappa and the solidity of Thanu Nanjappa, as Karnataka thrashed Pondicherry 14-0, in a cluster B match of the Senior National hockey championship for the Rangaswamy Cup at the KSHA stadium here today.

The outcome was on expected lines and it was only the margin of victory that one wagered with. That Karnataka after a dismal first session when it scored only thrice, revealed a seachange in its approach to pump in 11 more times without reply.

Arjun Halappa, the medio has a dreaded drag-flick that has been a scourge of many goalkeepers and defenders. And the junior international used it to good effect to net five times, thrice off penalty-corners and employed it once to convert a `stroke' award after his shot at goal struck Pondicherry defender Senthil Kumar's leg. However it was Thanu Nanjappa who struck home the first goal, off a penalty corner with a rasping drive. Thanu was to repeat the feat in the 47th and 53rd minutes of play.

Karnataka started with Rama Rao in the deep defence for Ronald Kiran and Prakash Chalke for Anup Anthony, upfront. Chalke did fumble a couple of times but did manage to rattle the defence time and again with his bursts of speed, besides striking the boards thrice. Laxman Rao probably had one of those bad matches, but did stamp his trademark effort with a stinging top of the circle shot which brooked no resistance.

K.P. Dinesh came in late in the second session and the youngster seized his chance with some delectable moves and capped his day's contribution with two opportunistic goals.

Pondicherry rarely tested the Karnataka defence and the two penalty corners it earned were frittered away, without really a shy at the goal.

Umpire Jayakumar of Kerala once again was seen in poor light, at times unable to come to a decision.

In the day's earlier match, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) kept itself in the hunt for a berth for the next phase with an emphatic 11-2 win. But the two minutes of complacency that enabled Vidharbha strick twice in two minutes, both by Anwar Ahmed, is sure to rankle the Securitymen.

Mangra Munda and G.V. Xaxa scored three apiece while Cyril Ekka (2), Parteek Kumar, Shahid Hussain and Major Singh were all among the scorers.

With both CISF and Karnataka having five points from three matches and to play PSB (six points from two matches), the slot for the second berth will depend on which fares better against the favourite (PSB). Karnataka (23-0) though have a better goal average compared to the Industrial securitymen (15- 3). PSB is all set to head the pool.

Friday's matches: Pondicherry vs Vidharbha (2.45 p.m), CISF vs PSB (4.45 p.m).

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Indian Railways tops Pool A
Next     : CRPF thrashes Gujarat