Karnataka rout Mizoram 21-0 at National Championship

BANGALORE: Riding on MK Mudappa’s seven-goal effort and Mohan Muthanna’s five, hosts Karnataka continued their rampaging run in the Hockey India Senior National Championship with a 21-0 thrashing of underdogs Mizoram, at the hockey stadium on Wednesday.

After their warm-up victory over Himachal Pradesh in their opener on Tuesday, Karnataka dominated the proceedings as they pitched camp in the rival half, giving their opponents a harrowing time. The hosts raided the Mizoram area from the word go and split their defence wide open. The northeast team, without the wherewithal to check the rival strikers, just caved in without a fight.

Had Karnataka converted some more of the chances that came their way, the hosts would have ended up with an even superior scoreline than the one they eventually managed. Karnataka forced as many as 15 penalty corners, but succeeded in converting only three on a turf that has worn out circle-markers, making it more challenging for the drag-flickers to take charge.

The hosts went ahead in the very third minute, courtesy an own-goal by a Mizoram defender. Thereafter, it was a goal feast as the hosts sounded the boards with consummate ease through MK Mudappa (25, 30, 39, 49, 56, 59 & 63), Mohan Muthanna (21, 28, 54, 61 & 64), SK Uthappa (4, 51 & 53), PL Thimmana (39), Somanna KM (33 & 66), Nikin Thimmaiah (65) and MB Aiyappa (60).