
Nalgonda, Feb 7: Karnataka clinched the IX Sub-junior National Hockey title edging out Manipur 5-4 in a nail-biting final that went into sudden death8217; at the Outdoor Stadium on Monday.
It was a contest between Karnataka8217;s fine technique and superior game and Manipur players8217; stamina. The Karnataka lads dominated the first half and took a 1-0 lead through a goal by centre forward Dinesh 11th minute.
Manipur equalised in the 57th minute when right-out Tolen scooped a penalty stroke into the net. The stroke was awarded when custodian Felix gloved the ball away off a clear scoring chance.
In the tie-break, Karnataka8217;s Vikramkanth hit the goalpost, while Chinappa8217;s hit was saved by custodian Surajkanta. For Manipur, Barjakumar8217;s hit was saved while Samudrajit shot wide.
In the sudden death, skipper Dinesh8217;s shot beat goalkeeper Surajkanta while OK Tolen, trying to scoop the ball into the far left corner of the net, shot wide.