The Hindu : Splendid win for ASC

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 11, 2003

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Sport - Hockey

Splendid win for ASC

By Our Hockey Correspondent

Karnataka 4 IOB 2

ASC Centre 7 Mumbai 4

Chennai July 10. Penalty corners and the variety in their conversions stood pronounced as 17 goals were scored on the second day of the Madras Cricket Club-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Thursday.

What featured the day's programme was the hat-trick of Len Aiyappa for Karnataka against Indian Overseas Bank in Pool D, but that was somewhat overshadowed by the imposing display of ASC Bangalore, the substitute for Indian Oil Corporation, which overwhelmed Mumbai XI 7-4 in Pool B.

If the scoreline can mirror the nature of a contest, the verdict for ASC shows it clear as crystal. That six goals were struck in the first half, with ASC leading 4-2, perhaps conveys the intensity of the contest and the fightback by the Mumbai team at every turn.

Faster and fitter, the ASC eventually carried the day, slotting goals without missing an opportunity in contrast to Mumbai, which frittered away a few chances.

When ASC hit in two penalty corners in succession, displaying a great deal of imagination and variety, it looked as though Mumbai would be swept off its feet. While Pradeep Singh produced a stunner of a drive to hoist the lead for ASC, Harpreet Singh came up with a well-timed sweep shot onto the boards. Undaunted Mumbai struck back, Rajiv Bhatkar showing his sense of opportunism.

With Suresh on the wing providing the individual thrust, ASC made repeated sallies. And when skipper Asif Ali dodged in to score the third goal it was only in the fitness of things at that point. Soon Harpreet Singh drag flicked the fourth goal. But a minute before the break, Mumbai came back in, Rajesh Chaturvedi finding the mark. The 4-2 lead for ASC at half-time did not look very comfortable given the fervour with which Mumbai attacked after the break. A fierce shot by Leonard Perreira missed the mark by inches but Rajiv Bhatkar slammed in a delectable shot to slim down the lead. A draw was on the cards even as Asad Khan fumbled for Mumbai. But Asif Ali and Suresh scored in succession to perk up the confidence of ASC.

Minutes before the hooter, Mumbai saw Navio Nayak shooting in but the evening's excitement ended with Rova Bhengra netting the seventh for ASC.

Karnataka subdues IOB

A gallant performance in the second half notwithstanding, Indian Overseas Bank, the Chennai league champion, succumbed to the accuracy and adeptness of the penalty corner hits by Len Aiyappa who performed a hat-trick.

Discarded by the National selectors for no palpable reason after his rise in the junior level, Len Aiyappa reminded the audience that he has not lost a whit of his proficiency in the execution of drag flicks.

Though Karnataka hit the lead within minutes through a nice workout by Amar Ayyamma, there were phases when IOB posed a serious threat to the goal. Solid in the mid-field thanks to the good work by Rajinikanth and skipper Arun Kumar, IOB conceived quite a few pretty moves using Vimalanathan and Felix. But inadequate finish and some good goal-keeping by Pkoralo saved the situation for Karnataka.

Len Aiyappa struck first midway in the first half to give Karnataka a 2-0 lead at half-time. But IOB pressing hard pushed itself into contention when Felix profited from a scrimmage to narrow down the lead.

At this point, it definitely looked as though IOB would make things more difficult for Karnataka despite the frequent raids launched by Anup Antony and Cyprian Aind.

But Len Aiyappa proved too much for the IOB defence. Two successive goals stamped his authority in penalty corners.

However in the final minute, IOB forced its fourth penalty corner which was executed only after the regulation time. Felix cashed in on a rebound to neutralise to some extent the devastation caused by Len Aiyappa.

Ghouse felicitated

The Tournament Director, Mohammad Ghouse, who turned 74 on Wednesday was felicitated and a special cake was cut in his honour during the half-time of the second match. Those who greeted the veteran umpire, coach and player, included the Organising Secretary, Rajiv Reddy, members of the Tournament Committee, the umpires and Mr. Perumal, President, Chennai Fans Hockey Association.

Friday's matches: MEG, Bangalore v Bhopal XI (2-15 p.m.); ONGC v IHF Juniors (4-15 p.m.).

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