Sunday, Apr 27, 2003
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Hockey
By Our Special Correspondent
The cushion of a four-goal advantage notwithstanding, the airmen will be wary of this never-say-die State side when the two teams clash again in the second leg semifinals on Monday. Karnataka played beyond expectations, denying experienced internationals in the IA forwardline a clear look at goal with constant policing of Mukesh Kumar, Sameer Dad and Arjun Hallappa. Dhanraj Pillay, of course, shook off attention with off-the-ball running and passing of a different level. Upfront, the Karnataka attackers prowled around the rival goalmouth and ran intelligently to create time and space to receive passes. IA did not manage a single field goal, all four coming via indirect short corner variations through Mukesh, Bimal Lakra, Dad and Dhanraj, whose goal was exceptional for sheer audacity, taking two defenders in his stride following a short corner scramble before threading the ball between the goalkeeper's legs. Karnataka's first goal by Abhinay Ganapathy was classy, the second by Krishna Reddy controversial before the only state side among the four semifinalists bowed before IA's attacking might in the closing stages. The flashpoint happened in the 43rd minute, IA up 2-1 and looking to consolidate. A long ball by Karnataka's Birender Lakra found Krishna Reddy sliding forward to connect. The ball rolled onto the boards, but umpire Shakeel Qureshi negated Karnataka's appeal for a field goal instantly. Just as IA goalkeeper Ashish Ballal and defenders got ready to restart, persistent Karnataka appeal saw a now-doubtful umpire running across to the other half for consultation with colleague S. Nadeem before whistling for a goal, in effect the equaliser at 2-2. A shocked IA side questioned Shakeel's inability to see action right under his nose and seek a second opinion from the other official placed way beyond visual range. Dhanraj and Ballal were vociferous but Shakeel stuck to his stand. The furious airmen momentarily lost focus before regaining the lead through Sameer Dad (3-2) before Dhanraj unleashed his special skills (4-2) on a hapless defence. After an initial flurry of moves in the rival half, IA shot into the lead through the first short corner, the ball relayed via Dhanraj to Mukesh stationed beyond the right post to sound the boards with a wristy, angular drive. Bimal smashed in the second, again off an indirect short corner variation, this time Mukesh switching across the goalmouth to confuse a charging defence. Karnataka hit back with a superb field goal, Abhinay sneaking across on the defence's blind side to connect a long diagonal hit by Mudgar Umash on the run. Ballal found himself under pressure again when Ajay Aiyappa forced his way in from the left. The huge IA custodian rushed out to deal with the threat, charging into the Karnataka striker who somehow managed to hook the ball over before losing his balance. Fortunately for the airmen, the ball rolled across an empty goalmouth and wide off far post. Mukesh got into scoring position at the other end but was disappointed to see another angular drive rolling wide, followed by an abortive Hallappa-Dhanraj move, the former's pass beyond range for the ace striker. Dhanraj's 69th minute goal, IA's fourth, left fans at the Mahindra stadium thirsting for more when battle resumes after Sunday's rest day. The result (semifinal): Indian Airlines 4 (Mukesh Kumar, Bimal Lakra, Sameer Dad, Dhanraj Pillay) bt Karnataka 2 (Abhinay Ganapathy, Krishna Reddy). Monday's semifinals (second leg): Indian Oil vs Western Railway; Indian Airlines vs Karnataka XI.
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