A-I enter semi-finals

Chennai, July 8: Strong contenders Air-India entered the semi-finals defeating Karnataka XI by a solitary goal while Bengal bowed out of c...

Chennai, July 8: Strong contenders Air-India entered the semi-finals defeating Karnataka XI by a solitary goal while Bengal bowed out of contention suffering their second successive loss against Indian Airlines in the 78th MCC-Murugappa All-India Gold Cup Hockey Tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Saturday. Darryl D8217;Souza scored the match-winner for the airmen, while B Munda struck the all-important goal for Indian Airlines.

Star-studded Air-India appeared to have lost steam after a pulsating match on Friday which drained them and their moves lacked the usual speed and rhythm. Still they played a tactical game to slow down the attack, trying to hold possession and the defence stood like a solid rock with Olympian Anil Aldrin and Cornelius D8217;Costa thwarting every move. Karnataka, despite dominating the exchanges for better part, could not capitalise from the sustained attack and fumbled at the all-important end.

Air-India earned their first short-corner in the 20th minute but halfback Ronald Kiran came out of the Karnataka goal like a bullet to block the direct hit of Cornelius D8217;Costa. However, Airmen hoisted the lead in the very next minute when Daryll D8217;Souza made no mistake after being put in by Edward Aranha.

Thereafter, Air-India concentrated on protecting the narrow lead and held on till the end. Karnataka increased the tempo and weaved patterns with international Shanmugam acting as a fulcrum in the midfield to feed strikers, Prakash Chalke on the left, and Mandanna on the right. Even Kamal Horo looked dangerous upfront but only at times and his stinger off Karnataka8217;s second set-piece drill was saved on the goalline by Anil Aldrin.

Earlier, Bengal, consisting many SAI hostel boys from Calcutta, forced the initial pace with Indian Airlines playing a defensive game. However, after surviving a couple of close calls, Bengal went into the lead in the 29th minute when Paulous Soy shot home, beating Ashish Ballal from close, following a long diagonal cross from junior international Jonas Bara. A couple of minutes earlier, Rajat Minz gained possession in the circle after Airlines defender Sarbraj Singh fumbled, but he shot straight to Ballal in the cage.

Airlines came back strongly in the second session and they were helped by injuries to two key Bengal players. Right half Tomba Singh was hit and within a minute Rajat Minz took a blow on the knees. Coach Divnain Singh rotated the bench strength but the attacks diluted.

Four minutes after crossover, YS Rawat went on a solo run into the circle and tried to scoope over an advancing Bengal custodian Vikrant Tete. But the latter, anticipated well and blocked it for defender Joseph Ekka, who cleared in a jiffy.

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In the 43rd minute, when Airlines Altaf ur Rehman, put in possession by Ravinder singh, set the stage for the equaliser but Virender Singh claimed the goal tapping home just before it entered the goal.