The Hindu : Karnataka does a demolition job

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 17, 2003

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Sport - Hockey

Karnataka does a demolition job

By Our Hockey Correspondent

Karnataka's Len Aiyappa executing a drag flick to complete his hat-trick against ASC Bangalore in the all India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament in Chennai on Wednesday. Amar Aiyamma, who also scored three goals, is on Len's left.

Railways 1 (5) IOB 1 (3)

Karnataka 6 ASC, Bangalore 3

Chennai July 16. Embellished by an exemplary hat-trick by Len Aiyappa, Karnataka demolished ASC, Bangalore to make the semifinals of the Madras Cricket Club-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Wednesday.

That was Len's second three goals in succession. Amar Aiyamma shared the honours slotting in three goals in the contest against ASC.

What was charming about Len Aiyappa's performance was not merely the aggregate of goals but the manner in which he struck them. Every goal he scored was an impeccable exhibition on how the drag flick should be executed. Small wonder then that he was the top scorer when he figured in the Malaysian National league not long ago. It is a pity that such a proficient and consistent striker does not wear the National colours as often as he should.

It is now becoming increasingly clear that Karnataka takes the tag of the favourite. Though its defence is not as organised as its frontline, match winners like Len and Amar can transform the team's fortunes at any given point of time.

While heaping praise on Len and Amar one should not overlook the contribution of Anup Antony whose fluent runs down the line and cross passes were a treat to behold and underscored the solidity of the attack.

Although the margin may give a misleading picture of the military outfit being outplayed, a critical analysis of the trend would not conform to that line of thinking. Limited may the resources with the ASC but the fortitude with which its players went about their task was admirable. They never gave any of hints of giving up, and fought like true soldiers till the final minute.

If anything, it was ASC that sent out the first alarm when a quick sally by Ajit Kumar Magi caught the Karnataka defence by surprise. And the powerful shot Magi executed missed the target by inches. But progressively, the Karnataka attack gained the edge and forged ahead. Anup Antony set a neat opening from a free hit for Amar to open the goal riot.

The lead, however, did not last long. And when Asif Ali produced the equaliser the match acquired the intensity that one expected at this stage of the competition. Minutes before the half time bell Len slammed in the first of his three goals. But before Karnataka could write the script of victory, there was a phase in which it stayed level.

ASC's Sunil, who always caught the eye in the front line, provided a splendid path for Suresh. After ambling in well, Suresh made a feeble hit and even as the ball rolled agonisingly towards the goal, goalkeeper Pkoralo hesitated a bit and allowed the ball to cross the line.

Tightening up a bit, Karnataka went on top gear forcing two penalty corners in succession, and Len struck them into the goal, one shot rolling along the carpet like a Tendulkar cover drive off McGrath.

A lead of 4-2 was no doubt formidable, but not for ASC, whose skipper Asif Ali hit in another goal from a penalty corner to keep his squad very much in the fray. But a defensive error by Pradeep Singh while tackling Anup Antony inside the circle forced umpire Suriya Prakash to award a stroke. Quite predictably, the ASC players objected to the decision. Amar converted without a hint of an effort and completed the tally a little later.

Expectedly, Len Aiyappa was declared the Cholamandalam Man of the Match,

Karnataka will take on Indian Railways in the semifinals on Friday. Air India and IHF Juniors figure in the other penultimate round match.

A tight contest

In the second match, which was a tight contest that brought the resilience and resources of both the teams to the front, a tiebreaker became the inevitable to determine the winner. And Railways, which managed to create more chances than its rival stayed on course till the end to ensure a place in the semifinals after the extra-time proved futile. The teams were deadlocked 1-1 at the end of the regulation time. If Railways had luck on its side the lead would have been slotted in long before IOB went ahead. Minutes after the start, Jagmohan Singh, who put in a lot of hard work, paved the way for Rajiv Mishra to weave in and passed the ball to Shiva whose rasping drive sent the ball crashing against the cross piece. Stunned by the development, Railways, caved in to the consistent pressure exerted on the defence by IOB.

Led admirably on the flank by Senthil and supported well by Appanna and Felix in the middle, IOB designed quite a few striking patterns. Felix surged in frequently causing a lot of disquiet in the rival defence. The Railways also lost the services of Vijay Alphonso briefly for a yellow card suspension imposed by umpire Javed.

Almost everything pointed out to IOB making the mark, and it did so in a touch of majesty. The credit for creating such a lovely opening should go to Gopinath whose measured forward pass put Mahendra Singh in a perfect position. Mahendra Singh did not waste the golden opportunity and scored past a bewildered goalkeeper, Sandeep Kumar, with a wristy shove.

It took quite a while for Railways to regain its rhythm. But skipper Chander Pal and mid-fielder Jagmohan Singh strove manfully to test the IOB defence that appeared susceptible to strong pressures. And it was in the fitness of things that Chander Pal should score and that he did in style capping a splendid move that started with Jagmohan releasing the ball in time for Rajiv Mishra to work his way up.

Midway through, another lovely effort by Rajiv Mishra gave an opening for Chander Pal. The latter's backhander beat IOB goalkeeper Shamugasundaram but the ball hit against the post and spun back. It was truly an agonising moment for Railways.

Thereafter, the match evened out with both teams looking for openings and exercising caution.

Railways obtained only a solitary penalty corner against the two by IOB during the regulation time. As the match meandered into the extra-time period for the golden goal, excitement gripped the spectators. There was a tense moment for IOB when Mahendra Singh received a yellow card--a very harsh punishment--from umpire Shellar for a tackle on Chander Pal.

In the tiebreaker, Railways dominated, netting all the five while IOB missed a stroke when Appanna flicked it straight into the pads of Sandeep Kumar. Rajiv Mishra, Jagmohan Singh, Bikramjit Singh, Chander Pal and Gursev Singh scored for Railways. Aiyappa, Felix and Muthukumaran were successful for IOB.

Raiway's skipper Chander Pal was declared the Cholamandalam Man of the Match.

Thursday is a rest day.

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