Samson slams four for hosts

BANGALORE, MAY 20: A brilliant performance by 30-year-old Samson Fernandez, who scored all the four goals, helped hosts Karnataka blank a stubborn Steel Authority of India Limited and virtually assured themselves of a quarterfinal berth in the Punjab and Sind Bank 58th Senior National Hockey Championship at the Sports Authority of India South Centre here on Tuesday.

Karnataka are expected to have it easy over lowly-Assam in their last league encounter on Wednesday.

Earlier, defending champions Indian Airlines who have a glittering line-up, dished out a none-too-impressive performance to overcome a lowly-rated Bhopal 4-0.

In the group D match, Karnataka initially looked panicky and lacked cohesion. But a 14th-minute field goal by centre-forward Samson Fernandez gave Karnataka the necessary tonic which boosted their confidence. The hosts never looked back though they went into the break only 1-0 up.