Bhopal June 19:
Strong contenders Karnataka stormed into final by defeating fancied Punjab 2-1 in an evenly-contested match in the first semifinals of inaugural Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship at the Aishbagh Stadium.
Karnataka's drag flicker VR Raghunath drew first blood by converting a penalty corner in the 10th minute. Karnataka was leading by a solitary goal during the lemon break. In the second half, Punjab came back strongly into the game when Dharamveer scored a field goal after dribbling past several opponent players soon after the break to bring the equaliser.
Exhibiting some good hockey, Hariprasad scored the winner for Karnataka at the 46th minute. However, the results could have been different, had Punjab not missed at least two penalty corners and a few sitters.
Strong contenders Karnataka stormed into final by defeating fancied Punjab 2-1 in an evenly-contested match in the first semifinals of inaugural Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship at the Aishbagh Stadium.
Karnataka's drag flicker VR Raghunath drew first blood by converting a penalty corner in the 10th minute. Karnataka was leading by a solitary goal during the lemon break. In the second half, Punjab came back strongly into the game when Dharamveer scored a field goal after dribbling past several opponent players soon after the break to bring the equaliser.
Exhibiting some good hockey, Hariprasad scored the winner for Karnataka at the 46th minute. However, the results could have been different, had Punjab not missed at least two penalty corners and a few sitters.
