MP to clash with TN in semifinals

BANGALORE, NOV. 28. Madhya Pradesh, last year's runner-up continued its relentless march in the 15th All-India Postal hockey tournament. At the KSHA stadium here on Wednesday, the MP men teased and tested the host Karnataka, before knocking the stuffing out of it with a 9-2 margin.

The win ensured MP the top position in group B and a semifinal clash against Tamil Nadu.

Karnataka by virtue of finishing second best in the group will have to take on the might of holders Punjab in the semifinals, on Thursday.

Punjab too showed its mettle in no uncertain terms. After being held to a 1-1 draw by Tamil Nadu in the three team group A, Punjab went on a rampage against minnows Uttar Pradesh and led 6- 0 before the latter threw in the towel.

Gursinder Singh studded two penalty corner drives past M.M. Sagar in the U.P. goal within the first 22 minutes and with Sanjeev Kumar too capping a fine effort in between, U.P. was pinned to the wall. Jasven Singh with a rasping drive consolidated the lead in the 25th minute before Nirmal Singh stuck of a good move down the right to change ends with a 5-0 advantage.

In the second session, Punjab did ease a bit but once Gursinder got his third goal of the match, U.P., which had no real interest in the match, conceded.

Karnataka was expected to put up a semblance of a fight. But, it was not to be after MP struck a brace of goals through Sadiq Noor and Faisal Ali.

MP went into the lead in the fourth minute through a Asad Kamal goal only to see Prakash Chalke neutralise. The came the two goals apiece from Sadiq and Faisal. that took the stuffing out of Karnataka.

Razzaq Khan (47th and 65th), Sadiq (64th) and Faisal Ali (69) completed the rout. C.S. Niranjan managed to reduced the margin for Karnataka in the 60th minute.

In an inconsequential match, Jharkand scored a consolation 3-1 win over Orissa in group B.

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