The Hindu : Sport : India loses opening tie

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 25, 2006

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

India loses opening tie

BANGALORE: India lost its opening Group `B' league match 38-28 to Hong Kong in the Asian Youth under-21 netball championship for girls, which got under way at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium indoor courts here on Monday.

In an engrossing contest, the Indian girls put up some spirited resistance, but only in patches. In the first quarter, Indians did well to hold the rival attack at bay, and trailed only by three points (7-10), but Hong Kong created some vital openings and increased its lead to 21-14 by the second quarter and kept it intact 29-22 in the third.

The visitors later came up with some sizzling goals to wrap up the issue 38-28. Goal shooter Zara Hann was the pick of the lot for Hong Kong as she accounted for 25 goals, while Christine, the goal attacker, pitched in with 13. For India, Preethi Banchor, the goal attacker scored 13 and goal shooter Monalisa, who played in the first two quarters, topped with 16.

The Indian skipper Preeti Banchor later admitted, "they were faster than us and played with better control." But what marked Hong Kong's win was its passing, which improved with every minute. With the opener going the wrong way, India faces a stiffer test on Tuesday, when its takes on a formidable Sri Lanka.

Earlier, Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumarasaamy, in his address, stressed the need for corporate support for the development of sports in the State and country. A prolonged cultural pageant preceded the opening match.

Ambedkar bt Kanaka

Ambedkar SC defeated Kanaka, Kolar, 60-53 in a boys section match of the State youth basketball championship here on Monday. Abdul (19) and Jayanth (13) led the Ambedkar SC attack, while Harish (20) waged a lone battle for Kanaka Kolar.

Other results: Boys: Viveknagar BC 30 (Lokesh 11) bt Rangers Mysore 14; Brothers Bijapur 32 (Anirudh 9) bt Young Orions 12; Bhagawan Gulbarga 26 (Suresh 14) bt Nationals Mysore 15; Beagles BC 38 (Girish 25) bt VNSC 16 (Akash 10).

Girls: Greens Davangere 37 (Rubia Banu 10) bt Bharath SU 7; Rowers Dharwad 32 (Arathi 12) bt BCBC 11; Mounts Club 32 (Nirita 11) bt K.S. Hegde Mangalore SC 17 (Shabhiro 9); IBBC 41 (Priyanka 13) bt Mangalore BC 12 (Shivani 7).

ASC (Boys) in semifinals

Army Service Corps (Boys) beat Sports Authority of India 5-2 and qualified for the semifinals from Pool `D' in the State `B' division league hockey tournament here on Monday.

Both teams were on nine points and SAI needed a draw to qualify but ASC (Boys) emerged victorious to make the last four. B.M. Chengappa scored thrice (43rd, 49th and 58th) while Kiran Kumar (41st) and Chandan Aind (51st, penalty stroke) chipped in with a goal each. Pradhan scored both goals for SAI `D', the first off a penalty corner in the 38th minute and again in the 48th minute.

In another match, Hindustan Machine Tools beat Vasu Sports Club 3-2 with Ramesh Krishna logging a brace (10th and 36th). Somanna (18th) completed the tally for HMT. Parasurama (33rd and 58th) scored twice off penalty corners for Vasu SC.

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