Bengaluru Cup hockey 2015: Haryana eves and Air India continue good form on day 3

Karnataka XI (yellow) went down to Haryana

Haryana XI defeated Karnataka XI 4-2 in the women’s section of the Second Bengaluru Cup hockey tournament at the Bangalore Hockey Stadium here on Monday.

Star-studded Haryana, with three Indian players in their ranks, began aggressively forcing three penalty corners in the first seven minutes, and took a 2-0 lead with Pinki Balhara scoring a double in the space of two minutes. In the 15th minute, she hoisted the lead following a defensive lapse and in the very next minute she moved into the goal area from the left and sent a short pass to Preeti, who returned it, as Pinki moved into the goalmouth and slapped in to beat the goalkeeper from close quarters.

Karnataka shot back with a penalty corner goal in the 21st minute, a direct hit by BM Komala to make it 2-1 and kept the hosts in the hunt. However, Haryana women increased the lead in the 24th minute through a field goal from Indian player Monica Dahiya, who slapped in a cross from the right to stun the Karnataka goalkeeper Sandhya to make it 3-1.

After the breather, Haryana women raided the rival citadel repeatedly forcing four short-corners in succession and succeeded in converting the last set-piece goal in the 45th minute to make it 4-1 when Devika Sen found the target.

Within five minutes, Karnataka converted their second penalty corner through Hima George to pull one back (4-2) but Haryana put paid to their hopes forcing another two futile penalty corners. Haryana converted one out of the ten penalty corners while Karnataka converted both their short corners.

In the men’s match, a brilliant brace including a late goal by Joga Singh put paid to the hopes of Bharath Petroleum Corporation Limited and helped Air India earn full points with a 2-1 victory in the men’s matches of the 2nd Bengaluru Cup hockey tournament at the Bangalore Hockey Stadium turf here on Monday.

In an evenly-contested match, Air India took the lead in first half with a brilliant goal in the 22nd minute. Off a raid from the right flank, Prabodh Tirkey sent in a stinging hit from outside the circle and Joga Singh managed to find a subtle deflection into the goal but the BPCL players contested the decision. The umpires consulted each other and ruled in favour of Air India.

After the cross-over, Air India continued its raids but found BPCL earn their first penalty corner after a sudden counter attack in the 45th minute. Gurpreeth Singh took a powerful but low drag flick which was blocked by Air India goalkeeper but international Hari Prasad converted the rebound in a giffy to leave no room for the custodian the second time around.

Three minutes from time, Joga Singh was in his elements once again scoring the match winner through a field goal from a goal-mouth melee.