Hockey Correspondent

Gopinath scores a brace for IOB

Anup Antony, Mudappa find the target for Karnataka

CHENNAI: A quiet start and a drawn verdict featured the lone opening Pool A match in the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament when the local league champion, Indian Overseas Bank, recovered to level the score 2-2 four minutes from end against Karnataka XI at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Thursday. The teams were 1-1 at halftime.

Spells of vibrant hockey projected the pleasing techniques of the contestants. If the Karnataka outfit, coached by the 1998 Asiad gold medallist, Ashish Ballal, held the edge in the first half, it was IOB which matched the rival in every aspect quite a few times.

Karnataka had a neat prompter in Somanna, whose neatly angled passes kept the frontline brisk. Anup Antony was conspicuous through his piercing raids supported by the centre-forward Mudappa.

This trio posed a major threat to the IOB defence early in the first half till the trend transformed in favour of the local team when Gopinath deflected a Muthuselvan penalty corner hit.

The goal pepped up the IOB attack. Supported well in the mid-field by Senthil, the frontline, led by Adam Sinclair, Gopinath and Vinod Rayer, carved out several sallies.

A weak clearance late in the first half helped Karnataka restore parity when Anup pounced on a loose ball to sound the boards.

Minutes after resumption came the lead for Karnataka through Mudappa. Thereafter, Karnataka dominated the proceedings, and could well have scored a couple.

A clever cross by Somanna put Aiyappa through but the latter fumbled at the all important end. Next Rafique moved in dangerously, only to lose possession of the ball.

Putting pressure

For their part, the IOB players put up the pressure, thanks to the swift moves initiated by Vinod Rayar from the right flank. At least one effort by Adam Sinclair caused a tense moment for Karnataka goal. But the reverse flick from the Olympian went over the post.

But in the final minutes, IOB forced a penalty corner and from the scrimmage Gopinath produced a neat shot for the team to finish with honours even.

The tournament was inaugurated by the President, Madras Cricket Club, T.G. Thyagarajan, who was accompanied by the Treasurer, Srivats Subramaniam, and Organising Secretary, Murugappa Gold Cup, Arun Murugappan, when the players were presented to the chief guest.

A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the memory of Jaspal Singh Aneja, former member-secretary of hockey committee and organising secretary of the MCC tournament.

The results: IOB 2 (Gopinath 2) drew with Karnataka XI 2 (Anup Antony, Mudappa).

Friday’s matches: Indian Railways vs. Army XI, Air India vs. ONGC, IOC vs. Mumbai.