Hockey: From uncertainty to ecstasy for Karnataka

By Rakesh Rao

JALANDHAR, NOV. 25. From the fear of non-qualification for the last- four stage to the joy of topping its group, Karnataka went through every emotion before the semifinal line-up was finalised in the National Games men's hockey at the Surjit Singh Stadium here on Sunday.

Two penalty-corner goals in the space of three minutes in the second session saw Karnataka make light of a one-goal deficit to prevail 2-1 over Chandigarh in Group B.

After ensuring its place in the semifinals, the Karnataka boys awaited the outcome of the Services-Maharashtra match to know their placing in the group. As it turned out, runner-up Maharashtra, already out of the reckoning, humbled Services 1-0 to not only help Karnataka top the pool but also avoid a semifinal clash with Punjab.

Punjab, which topped Group A with nine points meets Services, the Group B runner-up with seven points, in Monday's first semifinal. In the second, Karnataka, the Group A topper with nine points faces Bengal, which totalled four points to finish second in Group A.

Karnataka, bronze medallist at Imphal in the last edition of the Games in 1999, took the field needing just a draw to advance, while the previously unbeaten Chandigarh required a victory to make it to the semifinals.

Though Karnataka started slowly, it was the understandable urgency in the Chandigarh ranks that bore fruit in the 16th minute, Gurpreet Singh doing the scoring.

For the rest of the first half, the Karnataka forward line did not appear in any great hurry to find the equaliser. It was only in the second session that Karnataka controlled the pace of the match and looked like scoring any minute. Eventually, the match's first penalty corner saw Karnataka strike with Laxman Rao putting the finishing touches from close.

With the pressure off, Karnataka attacked in waves and forced its second penalty corner. This time, Ronald Kiran blasted the ball into the boards and turned the tide against Chandigarh. Sandeep Michael could have added to Karnataka's tally had he not missed a straightforward chance from the top of the striking circle.

With Chandigarh growing desperate, the Karnataka goal soon came under heavy attack. In the space of eight minutes, Chandigarh forced four penalty corners but in vain.

What followed was Maharashtra's attempt at salvaging some pride against an already-qualified Services. Maharashtra, reeling under the shock given by Karnataka the other day, had the small consolation of scoring its first victory and that too, against unquestionably the fittest team in the competition.

Since Maharashtra knew that it could not possibly match the speed of its counterpart, it was happy to play at a leisurely pace. It managed to keep possession of the ball for most part of the match once it got the lead through its first penalty corner, converted by Sunil Kumar, in the 11th minute.

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Section  : Sport
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