Mukkatira meets Palanganda in final

Madikeri: Palanganda will clash swords with Mukkatira (Bondha) in the final of the Maneyapanda 2010 Kodava hockey festival to be played in Ponnampet on Sunday.

On Friday, Palanganda defeated Nellamakkada 4-1 to enter the final. Manju Muthappa scored first for the loser in the sixth minute, but it was Palanganda all the way from there on. Star player Amar Aiyamma scored a brace — a penalty corner in the 14th minute and a field goal in the 64th minute. Pragath accounted for the other goal in the 20th minute, while Mandanna netted one off a penalty corner in the 29th minute.

Mukkatira (Bondha) put paid to the hopes of former champion Kootanda, handing them a 3-0 defeat in the other semifinal. Mohan got the first goal in the ninth minute off a penalty corner followed by Vasant (61st) and Darshan Aiyappa (62nd), both field goals.

In the quarterfinals, Nellamakkada beat Mandepanda 4-3, while Palanganda defeated Cheppudira 3-0. The final would be played at 2 p.m. on Sunday.