Date:01/02/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/01/stories/2003020105012200.htm

Sport - Football

Karnataka enters final

THRISSUR Jan. 31. Karnataka netted another big fish as it downed holder Punjab 2-0 to enter the final of the Kajah National junior football tournament for the Dr. B.C. Roy trophy.

The win was significant as Karnataka was entering the final after a gap of 12-years. The architects of Karnataka's win was the hardworking midfielder S. Kuttimani and forward Dharani. While Kuttimani worked tirelessly in the midfield, Dharani complimented him well upfront and was a threat to the rival defence. The Punjab defence, which managed to keep the Karnataka attack in check in the first half, caved in under sustained attack in the second half.

Dharani capped a fine day for him by scoring the second goal with a solo effort in the 80th minute.

Karnataka started positively in the first half and much of the play in the first quarter-an-hour was inside the Punjab half. But the Karnataka moves fizzled out once it neared the penalty box, as the Punjab defenders did not give much space to the forwards Dharnani and Kayan. Wild shots from outside the penalty box by Karnataka failed to make an impression. Punjab relied more on counter-attacks and in fact the side got two of the best chances created in the first half. Mohammed Suleman was the culprit on both occasions. First in the 11th minute, with an open goal in front of him, the striker missed the mark spoiling the good work done by Manjeet Singh whose sudden speed down the right flank had split the Punjab defence.

Mohammed Suleman was again in the thick of action in the 43rd minute heading straight at goalkeeper Ravindran's hands off a center from Manjeet Singh.

As Karnataka shifted gears, the Punjab defence that held up admirably in the first half showed signs of weariness in the second. Things started looking ominously when Dharani induced a fine save from Punjab goalkeeper Manpreet Singh, who tipped out the curling shot over his head and luckily the ball brushed the cross piece on its way out.

Three minutes later Dharani sent Kayan clear but the striker failed to control his shot as Punjab lived dangerously. The relentless attack finally paid dividends for Karnataka which forged ahead in the 68th minute. A high lob into the Punjab penalty area by Ashok saw Udaykumar time his jump perfectly to head it past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Manpreet Singh.

After scoring the goal, Karnataka became defensive and concentrated more on counter attacks. Punjab failed to weave any coordinated moves to trouble Karnataka and more often found itself at the receiving end to counterattacks. One such move resulted in the second goal. Dharani after

receiving a free ball advanced unopposed into the rival half and he had no difficulty in beating the onrushing goalkeeper with an angular shot in the 80th minute.

However, the striker messed up a gilt-edged chance during injury as he shot out from close with the goalkeeper at his mercy.

The final will be played on Sunday after tomorrow's rest day.